Worksite Safety Archives - Incident Prevention

Establishing a Comprehensive Ergonomics Program During a Pandemic

Written by Lisa Harris on August 11, 2021. Posted in Worksite Safety.

Austin Energy is the electric utility provider for the rapidly growing city of Austin, Texas. This community-owned, not-for-profit enterprise of the City of Austin employs approximately 1,100 office-based and 600 field-based employees. Employee safety, health and wellness have always been a top priority, and in 2019, Healthworks Ergonomics – the company I co-own – was hired to develop a comprehensive ergonomics program to complement Austin Energy’s existing initiatives.

Building an ATV/UTV Training Program for Utilities and Contractors

Written by Ty Fenton and Chuck Kevwitch on May 21, 2021. Posted in Worksite Safety, Equipment Operations.

Utility task vehicles (UTVs) and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are quickly becoming the preferred motorized equipment for lineworkers to use to access difficult terrain for necessary inspection and repair of infrastructure. And although they are exceptionally capable, these vehicles – identifiable by their large off-road tires, relatively small size and light weight – pose certain challenges for both utilities and contractors who wish to use them on job sites.

FR/AR Clothing Considerations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Written by Derek Sang and Scott Margolin on May 21, 2021. Posted in Worksite Safety.

In 29 CFR 1910.132, OSHA clearly states that personal protective equipment and appropriate training are required for individuals working in utilities, electrical petroleum, oil and gas exploration, and other industries where there is a danger of being injured by arc flash or flash fire.

Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives.

Written by Marilyn M. Velez, MPH on April 15, 2021. Posted in Worksite Safety, Tailgate Topics.

Members of the OSHA Georgia Struck-By Alliance and the Associated General Contractors of Georgia Inc. (AGC Georgia) will join thousands of employers and workers during this year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW), which takes place April 26-30. This year’s theme is “Drive Safe. Work Safe. Save Lives. Everyone plays a role in work zone safety.”

Minimum Approach Distances: What’s Required?

Written by Pam Tompkins, CUSP, CSP, and Matt Edmonds, CUSP, CIT, CHST on April 15, 2021. Posted in Worksite Safety, OSHA Articles.

Let’s kick off this article with a definition of what “MAD” means in the utility sector – and it does not mean that we’re upset with you. The word is actually an acronym that stands for minimum approach distance, which is the calculated safe working distance that provides worker protection when working on or in the vicinity of energized lines and equipment.

Fire Extinguisher Use and Safety for Utility Workers

Written by Steve Nash on February 12, 2021. Posted in Worksite Safety.

Officer George Brentar, a 22-year veteran of the Euclid, Ohio, police force, died October 10, 2007, when his car skidded into a pole and caught fire on an entrance ramp to Interstate 90. Officer Brentar had spotted a speeding motorist and was attempting to catch up to the vehicle when his car hydroplaned. The right rear end hit a pole and the car immediately burst into flames, with Officer Brentar trapped inside.

Arc Rating Standards for Personal Protective Equipment

Written by Zarheer Jooma, P.E., and Hugh Hoagland on February 12, 2021. Posted in Worksite Safety.

Employees who interact with electrical equipment and electrical installations may be exposed to electrical shock and arc flash hazards. A previous two-part article titled “Arc Flash Considerations for Utility and Construction Activities” (see https://incident-prevention.com/blog/arc-flash-considerations-for-utility-and-construction-activities and https://incident-prevention.com/blog/arc-flash-considerations-for-utility-and-construction-activities-part-ii) discussed the electrical hazard identification and risk assessment. If the employer has taken steps to reduce the risk of injury or death...

Why are Job Briefings and Risk Assessments Important?

Written by Pam Tompkins, CUSP, CSP, and Matt Edmonds, CUSP, CIT, CHST on February 12, 2021. Posted in Worksite Safety, OSHA Articles.

When you hear the term “job briefing,” what comes to mind? Perhaps a meeting, a form to fill out or maybe even a complete waste of time? How we perceive job briefings has a huge impact on how we complete them. Per OSHA, job briefings are required to be completed before each job; however, for us to perform them effectively, it is critical that we understand the intent behind that requirement. What Needs to be Covered? A job briefing is intended to be used as part of the planning process to accomplish a job both safely and successfully. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269(c)(2) requires that the following topics...

What are OSHA’s Training Requirements?

Written by Pam Tompkins, CUSP, CSP, and Matt Edmonds, CUSP, CIT, CHST on December 11, 2020. Posted in Worksite Safety, OSHA Articles.

In our first article in this series (see https://incident-prevention.com/blog/when-osha-electric-power-safety-standards-apply), we discussed how to apply OSHA’s electric power standards. This article will review OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269 and 1926 Subpart V training requirements relating to qualified and unqualified employees. To determine training requirements, you must first ask the question, are my employees exposed to electric power system hazards? If so, the training portion of the OSHA electric power standards should apply. OSHA requires all employees to be trained in the safety-related work...

Tag: Worksite Safety