Worksite Safety Archives

Key Concepts of an Insulate and Isolate Program

Written by Danny Bost, CUSP on April 18, 2018. Posted in Worksite Safety.

Most utilities and contractors that perform work on energized conductors use some form of cover-up program or process. Culture plays a big part in how we currently cover for protection. When a new lineworker joins the crew, that person learns the ways of senior members of the crew, and later that knowledge is passed on to the next new person. Having control of what we work on also has played a significant role in how we cover. If you have control of the energized conductor or equipment you are working on, you may not need as much cover for protection, right? The problem is, in numerous cases,...

Using Technology to Eliminate Aerial Device Overloads

Written by Dan Brenden on February 21, 2018. Posted in Worksite Safety, Equipment Operations.

Knowing bucket capacity and understanding how to read a jib load chart are two critical elements of aerial device operation. While both tasks are fairly straightforward, it is crucial to stay within the allowable capacity of the unit. The platform capacity and material-handling capacity provided by the manufacturer are not recommendations – they are absolute maximum capacities that ensure the machine is not overloaded. Overloading equipment can result in overturning or boom failure. Equipment damage also may occur, resulting in costly repairs and a shortened usable life for the aerial device. A...

Safety Concerns When Setting Wooden Utility Poles

Written by Luis Ortega, CUSP Emeritus on December 15, 2017. Posted in Worksite Safety.

On an invigorating and beautiful late-spring Sunday afternoon, Frank decides to take his young family for a drive in his brand-new van. Frank, his wife and their two young daughters are cruising along with a scenic view of the mountains. He is enjoying this priceless quality time with his family. While listening to some good music on the radio, the van approaches a tight curve on the road. Suddenly, Frank notices a large wooden utility pole ahead that is carrying lots of wire and leaning excessively toward the road. Frank jams on the brakes, but he cannot stop in time. He hits the pole, and...

Understanding Hypothermia in the Outdoor Work Environment

Written by Arthur Seely and Steve Andreas on September 11, 2017. Posted in Worksite Safety.

Outdoor workers – including lineworkers and communications technicians – routinely work in hazardous environments. Most of these hazards are well-recognized and understood by the workers and their management, but that is not always the case with cold-weather injuries, such as hypothermia and frostbite. Until workers receive specific and relevant training from medical professionals with cold-weather experience, they may lack the basic understanding of just how suddenly cold weather can kill. Although there are numerous types of cold-weather injuries, this article will address the most common...

Overcoming Barriers to Crane and Rigging Skills Development

Written by Debbie Dickinson on September 11, 2017. Posted in Worksite Safety, Equipment Operations.

The utility industry has high expectations for employing safe work practices and readily invests in equipment and training. Maintaining a workforce with the right skills is a herculean task. Crane operation and rigging skills development presents greater challenges than some other areas because these skill sets typically are not part of the routine work schedule. Individuals with crane operator certification may have fewer than 100 hours of actual operating time in a year, or go more than a year with no seat time or hands-on practice time. OSHA requires employers to ensure that crane operators...

October 2017 Q&A

Written by Jim Vaughn, CUSP on September 11, 2017. Posted in Worksite Safety, Q & A.

Q: We have gotten mixed advice from our colleagues at other utilities and can’t decide whether or not civil workers digging a foundation by hand in a hot substation should be required to wear arc protective clothing. They are inside the fence but in a new area approximately 20 feet from the nearest distribution structure. Where do we find the requirements or OSHA guidance? A: That depends. Sometimes it depends on the criteria in the statutes, and sometimes it depends on compliance with company policy. Normally, following the guidelines of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269(l)(8) – which establish the criteria...

7 Electrical Theory and Circuitry Myths – Busted

Written by Dave Johnson, CUSP, and Mack Turner, CUSP on August 8, 2017. Posted in Worksite Safety.

In the electric utility business, we have highly trained employees who are proud that they have learned the skills to be able to safely work around high voltage. However, a phrase we hear too often is “Hey, it’s only secondary,” which implies that secondary is not as hazardous as primary, lightning or fault current. We’re not going to debate that in this article, but we are going to discuss – and bust – some common myths about working with 120-volt circuitry and equipment, as well as myths regarding lightning and fault current exposure. Myth 1: Circuit breakers are better than fuses.If you...

The Science of Keeping Workers Safe

Written by Raffi Elchemmas, MBA, AEP, and Sarah Hall on August 8, 2017. Posted in Worksite Safety.

Ergonomic safety has had a profound impact on the utility industry over the last decade, without many workers even knowing it. Yet as professional tool ergonomists, we have seen many erroneous “ergonomic” product claims over the years, so in this article we want to highlight the importance of knowing how ergonomic products are measured and if the tools you’re using are truly advancing ergonomics at your company. Before we dive into the technical aspects of ergonomic measurements, let’s review some background information. OSHA continues to define line work as a high-risk occupation in terms...

Voice of Experience: De-Energizing Lines and Equipment for Employee Protection

Written by Danny Raines, CUSP on August 8, 2017. Posted in Worksite Safety, Voice of Experience.

Lately there has been a rash of incidents involving flashes and contacts with primary voltage. The incidents occurred due to improperly written switching orders or missed switching steps, none of which were recognized by the workers involved with the tasks. These types of errors have long been a problem and continue to result in numerous injuries and fatalities. In April 2014, OSHA’s revised 29 CFR 1910.269 standard was published. This was the first revision to the standard in 20 years, and one paragraph in particular that was clarified was paragraph (m), “Deenergizing lines and equipment...

Tag: Worksite Safety