In this Edition of the EPI Team's Newsletter, we touch on cold weather tips, as well as red flags to look for when out in the field for yourself and others, an explanation of the changes to the NJ procedures for obtaining or renewing licenses and a brief look at one of our geophysical projects. 

Subject Line Answer

Holes by Louis Sachar

WINTER IS HERE

Tips and Tricks for Winter Weather:

• Check the temperature and limit your time outdoors if it's very cold, wet or windy

• Bundle up in several layers of loose clothing

• Wear mittens rather than gloves

• Cover your ears with a warm hat

• Wear socks that will keep your feet warm and dry

Frostbite

Even skin that is protected can be subject to frostbite. It's the most common injury resulting from exposure to severe cold, and it usually occurs on fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and chin. If caught early, it is possible to prevent permanent damage. If not, frostbite can lead to amputation. Superficial frostbite affects the skin surface, while the underlying tissue remains soft. The skin appears white, waxy or grayish-yellow and is cold and numb. If the condition is allowed to progress to deep frostbite, all layers of the skin are affected and the outcome likely will be more serious. The skin will become completely numb, blisters may form and eventually the skin tissue dies and turns black.

If you suspect frostbite:

• Get indoors immediately

• Seek medical attention

• Remove constrictive clothing and jewelry that could impair circulation

• Place dry, sterile gauze between toes and fingers to absorb moisture and keep them from sticking together

• Elevate the affected area to reduce pain and swelling

• For superficial frostbite, you may also place the affected area in water that is 100 to 105 degrees until the tissue softens

Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when the body's temperature drops below 95 degrees. Severe shivering, one of the first signs of hypothermia, is beneficial in keeping the body warm. But as hypothermia progresses, shivering gives way to drowsiness or exhaustion, confusion, shallow breathing, irregular heartbeat, slurred speech, loss of coordination and, eventually, unconsciousness and even death.

In one of the most bizarre symptoms of hypothermia, paradoxical undressing," a person actually undresses instead of bundling up. Researchers believe that in the final throes of hypothermia, a person may feel like he or she is overheating due to a rush of warm blood to the extremities.

So what should you do if you encounter someone suffering from hypothermia?

• Move the victim inside and remove any wet clothing
• Call for medical attention
• Add blankets, pillows, towels or newspapers beneath and around the victim
• Cover the victim's head
• Handle the victim gently to avoid cardiac arrest
• Keep the victim in a horizontal position
• If necessary, give CPR

*None of these steps are a substitute for proper medical care.

Be sure to seek medical attention for frostbite and hypothermia as soon as possible.

Major changes to NJ Well Driller and

Pump Installer Licensing Underway

On 3/1/2018, amendments to the Well Construction and Maintenance; Sealing of Abandoned Wells Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:9D), became operative.  The updated well rules contain new procedures for obtaining/renewing well driller and pump installer licenses.  Here the major changes:

New Examination Process: The Bureau of Water Allocation and Well Permitting staff will no longer be administering the exams.  The exams will be prepared by the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) and administered by PSI.  Exams will be administered electronically and will be available at testing centers nationwide.  Applicants will be able to schedule their exams at any time under this new system. 

New Process to Apply for a License: Rather than applying to take an exam, the applicant will apply for their license after they have taken all the necessary exams and have met the appropriate experience requirements. After submitting the completed application, the New Jersey State Well Drillers and Pump Installers Examining and Advisory Board (Board) will review the applications to ascertain whether the applicants have met the qualifications and experience requirements set forth at N.J.A.C. 7:9D-1.8(a).

Changes to License Types:  The Department will no longer issue or renew monitoring well driller or soil borer licenses.  Any person licensed as a monitoring well driller pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:9D as of 3/1/2018, may, in lieu of applying for a new license, apply for renewal as an environmental resource and geotechnical well driller upon expiration of their monitoring well license.  Any person licensed as a soil borer pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:9D as of 3/1/2018, may, in lieu of applying for a new license, successfully complete a Department-approved training course, to renew their license as an environmental resource and geotechnical well driller.  In addition, any individual licensed as a journeyman (Class B) well driller may choose to qualify to be licensed as a journeyman well driller upon successful completion of a Department-approved training course.  Well Permitting staff will notify those individuals who are eligible for the Department-approved training course once it is available.  Additionally, the Department now offers licenses for elevator borehole well drillers and vertical closed loop geothermal well drillers.

Continuing Education: There is now a continuing education requirement for all license renewals. Click here for more information.

EPI visits historical site in Branchburg, New Jersey

We were contracted by the Branchburg Historical Society to conduct a geophysical investigation to locate the subsurface remains of an 18th century Dutch church in Branchburg, New Jersey at the intersection of Old York Road and North Branch River Road. Our Geophysicists Paul McLeod (EM) and Robert Wiencek (GPR) used GSSI SIR-4000 RADAR SYSTEM with 350 HS antenna, GSSI – EM Profiler (multi-frequency EM conductivity meter), and TRIMBLE Geo7X GPS. 

A clay tobacco pipe stem, along with oyster shells, were located on the ground surface during field reconnaissance just outside the geophysical project area This may indicate a potential archaeological site. The above photo shows the historic marker located in the project area. The marker describes the history of the Dutch church built on the site in the early 18th century. 

We are proud of our team - click on their photos to read more.

Have something to add about your experience with our guys?

Email to Brian at brian@epi-team.com

Did you miss any of our past newsletters? 

Don't fret, you can view past issues, here.