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Utility Safety Podcast – Deep Dive – Bad Attitudes and How to Handle Them

In this episode of the iP Utility Safety Podcast, we take a deep dive into a common yet challenging workplace issue: bad attitudes. But instead of just discussing the problem, we explore proven leadership strategies to transform negativity into productivity. Drawing insights from an Incident Prevention magazine article, we uncover how effective leadership, empowerment, and […]
Photo: Bulwark Protection

Optimizing Arc Flash Protection: The Crucial Role of Layered Clothing

A layered approach that includes FR/AR undergarments can enhance worker safety, comfort and compliance.
Given the arc flash hazards and other risks that exist in electric utility work environments, an employer’s commitment to employee safety must never falter. It is essential for workers to wear personal protective equipment in these environments; in particular, prior to exposure, workers must don flame-resistant (FR) or arc-rated (AR) garments that meet or exceed […]
Safety by Design

Safety By Design: A System Approach to Organizational Safety Initiatives

Employers can more effectively protect employees by using a planned process to develop their safety initiatives.
Let’s kick off this new series by considering a simple question: Why do we need safety? Here’s my answer: Safety is a must because hazards and threats exist in our work environments that could cause harm to both our employees and our organizations. Any initiative designed to protect workers from danger falls under the umbrella […]
A car and travel trailers

The Roadmap to Gaining Senior Leader Buy-In for Safety Initiatives

Research indicates use of these practical tactics can help safety professionals garner greater leadership support for their programs.
In a recent survey we conducted, 97% of safety professionals who responded confirmed that gaining senior leader buy-in for their safety programs was either very important or extremely important to them. This research project was a joint effort between the National Electrical Contractors Association, HR Resources of the Carolinas LLC and Habit Mastery Consulting, with […]
Step 4

‘The Worst Day of My Life’

A retired lineman recalls details and lessons learned from an electrical contact that killed his best friend.
This story is about a devastating accident that took the life of one of my best friends many years ago. I have always been somewhat reluctant to speak or write about it because dealing with my friend’s family in the aftermath of his death was extremely painful. As time has marched on, however, I’ve found […]

Rubber Gloves and Chronic Injuries: Are Your Workers at Risk?

When we think about the word “consequences,” we typically consider it in terms of unwanted outcomes; consequences are “bad.” But they can also be good, the desired outcomes of specific, targeted actions. And then there are those times when an action’s consequences seem good – yet they have unexpected, adverse side effects that may go […]

To Improve On-the-Job Safety, Consistency and Continuing Education are Key

It’s a little late to say Happy New Year, but I still want to wish all of you a fantastic and safe 2025. One of my hopes for this year is that I won’t be asked to investigate another incident or fatality – because we’ll all work together to ensure they never occur. We’ve had […]
Bad Attitudes

Bad Attitudes and How to Handle Them

Your primary strategy must be to manage your own attitude and actively care about each of your team members.
One of the questions I’m most frequently asked during leadership classes is how to handle people with bad attitudes. So, I’d like to take this opportunity to share some highlights from those discussions. I will remind you that leadership is much more of an art than a science. There is no perfect roadmap that shows […]

Utility Safety in Depth – Bridging the Safety Gap – The Role of USMWF in Workplace Fatalities

In this episode of Utility Safety in Depth, host Kate Wade sits down with John “Scotty” MacNeill and Rena Harrington to explore the mission of the United Support & Memorial for Workplace Fatalities (USMWF). They discuss the critical role USMWF plays in supporting families affected by workplace fatalities, advocating for stronger safety regulations, and raising awareness […]

Voice of Experience – Checkup from the Neck Up: Preventing Utility Work Mistakes

In this episode of Voice of Experience, Danny Raines, CUSP discusses the critical importance of mental awareness and focus in utility work. Using real-life accident investigations, he explores why experienced professionals sometimes repeat dangerous mistakes and how a “checkup from the neck up” can prevent incidents. From miscommunication in substations to lack of hazard recognition, […]

Utility Safety Podcast – Deep Dive – Bad Attitudes and How to Handle Them

In this episode of the iP Utility Safety Podcast, we take a deep dive into a common yet challenging workplace issue: bad attitudes. But instead of just discussing the problem, we explore proven leadership strategies to transform negativity into productivity. Drawing insights from an Incident Prev…
A layered approach that includes FR/AR undergarments can enhance worker safety, comfort and compliance.
Given the arc flash hazards and other risks that exist in electric utility work environments, an employer’s commitment to employee safety must never falter. It is essential for workers to wear personal protective equipment in these environments; in particular, prior to exposure, workers must don flame-resistant (FR) or arc-rated (AR) garments that meet or exceed assessed incident energy levels. And while single-layer FR/AR garments are common in the utility industry, it’s important to recognize that they can fall short in areas such as weight, heat retention and comfort. Additionally, alth…
Employers can more effectively protect employees by using a planned process to develop their safety initiatives.
Let’s kick off this new series by considering a simple question: Why do we need safety? Here’s my answer: Safety is a must because hazards and threats exist in our work environments that could cause harm to both our employees and our organizations. Any initiative designed to protect workers f…
Research indicates use of these practical tactics can help safety professionals garner greater leadership support for their programs.
In a recent survey we conducted, 97% of safety professionals who responded confirmed that gaining senior leader buy-in for their safety programs was either very important or extremely important to them. This research project was a joint effort between the National Electrical Contractors Associat…

Step 4
A retired lineman recalls details and lessons learned from an electrical contact that killed his best friend.
This story is about a devastating accident that took the life of one of my best friends many years ago. I have always been somewhat reluctant to speak or write about it because dealing with my friend’s family in the aftermath of his death was extremely painful. As time has marched on, however, I’ve found myself thinking it’s time to share the details of the accident with other lineworkers in hopes of helping them avoid and prevent similar accidents in the future. Background During my high school years in Salinas, California, I became friends with a fellow student by the name of David Whit…
A retired lineman recalls details and lessons learned from an electrical contact that killed his best friend.
When we think about the word “consequences,” we typically consider it in terms of unwanted outcomes; consequences are “bad.” But they can also be good, the desired outcomes of specific, targeted actions. And then there are those times when an action’s consequences seem good – yet they have unexpect…
It’s a little late to say Happy New Year, but I still want to wish all of you a fantastic and safe 2025. One of my hopes for this year is that I won’t be asked to investigate another incident or fatality – because we’ll all work together to ensure they never occur. We’ve had more than enough injuri…

Your primary strategy must be to manage your own attitude and actively care about each of your team members.
One of the questions I’m most frequently asked during leadership classes is how to handle people with bad attitudes. So, I’d like to take this opportunity to share some highlights from those discussions. I will remind you that leadership is much more of an art than a science. There is no perfect ro…
In this episode of Utility Safety in Depth, host Kate Wade sits down with John “Scotty” MacNeill and Rena Harrington to explore the mission of the United Support & Memorial for Workplace Fatalities (USMWF). They discuss the critical role USMWF plays in supporting families affected by workplac…

Video

Utility Safety Podcast – Deep Dive – Bad Attitudes and How to Handle Them

In this episode of the iP Utility Safety Podcast, we take a deep dive into a common yet challenging workplace issue: bad attitudes. But instead of just discussing the problem, we explore proven leadership strategies to transform negativity into productivity. Drawing insights from an Incident Preven…

Featured Topics


Utility Safety Podcast – Deep Dive – Bad Attitudes and How to Handle Them

In this episode of the iP Utility Safety Podcast, we take a deep dive into a common yet challenging workplace issue: bad attitudes. But instead of just discussing the problem, we explore proven leadership strategies to transform negativity into productivity. Drawing insights from an Incident Prev…
Photo: Bulwark Protection
A layered approach that includes FR/AR undergarments can enhance worker safety, comfort and compliance.
Given the arc flash hazards and other risks that exist in electric utility work environments, an employer’s commitment to employee safety must never falter. It is essential for workers to wear personal protective equipment in these environments; in particular, prior to exposure, workers must don fl…

Employers can more effectively protect employees by using a planned process to develop their safety initiatives.
Let’s kick off this new series by considering a simple question: Why do we need safety? Here’s my answer: Safety is a must because hazards and threats exist in our work environments that could cause harm to both our employees and our organizations. Any initiative designed to protect workers f…
A car and travel trailers
Research indicates use of these practical tactics can help safety professionals garner greater leadership support for their programs.
In a recent survey we conducted, 97% of safety professionals who responded confirmed that gaining senior leader buy-in for their safety programs was either very important or extremely important to them. This research project was a joint effort between the National Electrical Contractors Associat…
Step 4
A retired lineman recalls details and lessons learned from an electrical contact that killed his best friend.
This story is about a devastating accident that took the life of one of my best friends many years ago. I have always been somewhat reluctant to speak or write about it because dealing with my friend’s family in the aftermath of his death was extremely painful. As time has marched on, however, I’ve…
When we think about the word “consequences,” we typically consider it in terms of unwanted outcomes; consequences are “bad.” But they can also be good, the desired outcomes of specific, targeted actions. And then there are those times when an action’s consequences seem good – yet they have unexpect…

In this episode of the iP Utility Safety Podcast, we take a deep dive into a common yet challenging workplace issue: bad attitudes. But instead of just discussing the problem, we explore proven leadership strategies to transform negativity into productivity. Drawing insights from an Incident Prevention magazine article, we uncover how effective leadership, empowerment, and strategic communication can shift workplace culture. Whether you’re in the utility industry or any team environment, these takeaways will help you lead with confidence and create a positive, high-performing team.

Read the article: https://incident-prevention.com/blog/bad-attitudes-and-how-to-handle-them/

Key Takeaways

The Power of Leadership – How leaders set the tone and influence team dynamics.

Circle of Control – Focusing on what you can change rather than dwelling on negativity.

Turning Negativity Into Responsibility – Giving difficult employees more responsibility as a way to engage them.

The Role of Positive Reinforcement – Why recognizing efforts and creating trust can transform even the toughest employees.

Empowering Leadership – Strategies to inspire, rather than control, your team.

Subscribe to Incident Prevention Magazine – https://incident-prevention.com/subscribe-now/ Register for the iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo – https://utilitysafetyconference.com/ #LeadershipDevelopment #UtilitySafety #WorkplaceCulture #SafetyLeadership #TeamSuccess #IncidentPrevention #BadAttitudes  
Photo: Bulwark Protection
A layered approach that includes FR/AR undergarments can enhance worker safety, comfort and compliance.
Given the arc flash hazards and other risks that exist in electric utility work environments, an employer’s commitment to employee safety must never falter. It is essential for workers to wear personal protective equipment in these environments; in particular, prior to exposure, workers must don flame-resistant (FR) or arc-rated (AR) garments that meet or exceed assessed incident energy levels. And while single-layer FR/AR garments are common in the utility industry, it’s important to recognize that they can fall short in areas such as weight, heat retention and comfort. Additionally, although the standard arc rating of 8 cal/cm² is frequently deemed sufficient, employers should be aware that it could leave workers vulnerable in certain hazardous scenarios. With all that said, don’t forget that there’s an effective FR/AR clothing strategy that is sometimes overlooked: a layered approach to user protection that includes FR/AR undergarments, a critical component of the clothing system. Employers that use this approach can significantly enhance the safety, comfort and compliance of their workforce in hazardous environments. The Importance of Protective Undergarments Undergarments receive little attention in many FR/AR clothing programs despite their essential role in worker protection. Requiring workers to wear undergarments comprised of 100% cotton or natural fibers is a good step forward – but it still leaves room for error. A more robust solution for employers is to provide employees with FR/AR base layers, which offer greater protection. FR/AR base layers act as a safety net in the event of an arc flash, preventing burns and avoiding combustion even when outer shirts are untucked. The use of this approach aligns with OSHA and NFPA guidelines, which emphasize the necessity of avoiding meltable fibers. Three Key Benefits A layered FR/AR clothing system offers a versatile, effective solution to the shortcomings of single-layer garments. By combining lightweight FR/AR garments, employers can achieve desired arc ratings without compromising employee comfort or mobility. Specifically, layering provides these three key benefits:
  1. Enhanced protection. The individual arc ratings of each layer of clothing, when added together, offer a better defense against break-open and ignition scenarios than a single layer.
  2. Moisture management. Layered FR/AR garments improve sweat evaporation and overall comfort for the user, especially in extreme conditions.
  3. Temperature regulation. Layering allows workers to adapt their clothing to changing weather conditions so that they can stay warm in cold temperatures and cooler in the heat.
Readers should take note that industry standards – including OSHA regulations and NFPA 70E – stress the employer’s responsibility to provide appropriate FR/AR clothing to workers who face exposure hazards. ASTM F1506 recognizes layering as an effective method for optimizing arc-flash protection, underscoring the importance of proper garment selection. Layered System Components A layered FR/AR clothing system that is well-designed typically includes two types of garments: base layers and outer layers. Base layers are those FR/AR undergarments that provide an initial layer of protection while also helping to ensure comfort. Outer layers – such as FR/AR shirts, trousers and coveralls – act as the primary defense against arc flash incidents. Employers should be mindful that workers must wear appropriately rated FR/AR high-visibility garments in low-light environments where arc flash hazards are present. However, additional arc ratings from high-visibility vests should not be factored into the total arc rating of the clothing system. Training and Best Practices Good training is a cornerstone of any successful PPE program. OSHA requires employers to ensure that their workers understand when PPE is necessary, how to wear and use it correctly, and what its limitations are. Specifically, employers must ensure their workers are trained to:
  • Wear all FR/AR layers properly, which includes zipping jackets and tucking in shirts.
  • Always wear appropriately rated FR/AR outer layers where arc flash hazards exist.
  • Avoid wearing non-FR/AR outerwear over FR/AR garments.
Employers and employees should be aware that regular care and maintenance of FR/AR garments is vital to preserving their protective properties. Conclusion Because workers in the electric utility industry face the persistent threat of arc flashes, employers must consider investing in a layered FR/AR clothing system for their crews that prioritizes the use of FR/AR undergarments. This is more than just a strategy; in some settings, it’s a necessity. When a layered clothing system is effectively implemented, workers gain enhanced protection to safely and comfortably perform their tasks – even in the most challenging environments. About the Author: Derek Sang, CSHEP, QSSP, is the senior technical training manager for Bulwark Protection. He has served the FR/AR clothing industry for more than 25 years. Reach him at derek.sang@bulwark.com.
Employers can more effectively protect employees by using a planned process to develop their safety initiatives.

Safety By Design: A System Approach to Organizational Safety Initiatives

Let’s kick off this new series by considering a simple question: Why do we need safety? Here’s my answer: Safety is a must because hazards and threats exist in our work environments that could cause harm to both our employees and our organizations. Any initiative designed to protect workers from danger falls under the umbrella of safety. If we were to use minimum approach distances as an analogy, safety is the air gap that insulates an organization. When severe injuries and fatalities occur in our industry, weak safety initiatives – that is, initiatives that do not provide the insulatin…
A car and travel trailers
Research indicates use of these practical tactics can help safety professionals garner greater leadership support for their programs.
In a recent survey we conducted, 97% of safety professionals who responded confirmed that gaining senior leader buy-in for their safety programs was either very important or extremely important to them. This research project was a joint effort between the National Electrical Contractors Association, HR Resources of the Carolinas LLC and Habit Mastery Consulting, with the purpose of discovering the secrets to gaining greater senior leadership support for safety initiatives. Our research included surveying 128 safety professionals and conducting in-depth interviews with 15 deeply experienced safety professionals. We revealed our research results at the October 2024 iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo in Allen, Texas, sharing with attendees what our data indicates are the eight practical stops on a safety professional’s roadmap to securing full senior leadership support for their next safety initiative. The remainder of this article will focus on those stops, which fall into three categories – preparation, marketing and follow-up – providing a clear structure to guide professionals on their journey. Part I: Preparation The safety professionals who most successfully earn senior leader buy-in for their safety initiatives typically work for organizations that have established strong foundations. What does that mean exactly? These organizations have put the right leaders and reporting structures in place, and there is a great amount of trust and psychological safety among employees that has been built over time. Stop #1: Have the Right Leaders in Place In the surveys and interviews we conducted, safety professionals told us that an ideal senior leader values safety, aligns it with the organization’s priorities and demonstrates a commitment to protecting workers. Three personal factors influence a senior leader’s willingness to support safety efforts:
  • Risk tolerance: We know that different people have different levels of comfort where risk is involved. Leaders who are naturally risk-averse may more easily understand the need for safety interventions.
  • Values: Leaders who strongly value protecting the well-being of others may be more inclined to prioritize safety efforts.
  • Past experiences: Significant injuries and fatalities make a lasting impression. Leaders who have worked for organizations where employees were hurt or killed on the job may better understand the realities of such situations – and be more likely to show support for safety initiatives.
Utility organizations must actively recruit, develop and promote leaders who naturally champion safety. And although safety professionals may have limited influence on hiring practices, one thing they can do is provide hiring teams with targeted questions to better identify job candidates who view safety as both a core personal value and a core business imperative. Stop #2: Establish the Right Reporting Structure Direct, meaningful communication channels between safety professionals and senior leaders are critical to safety program buy-in. In our interviews, safety professionals who have regular access to their senior leaders reported the greatest satisfaction with their ability to move initiatives forward. Safety professionals should report as high up the leadership ladder as possible – ideally to the CEO or another senior executive. This helps to ensure that safety is a frequent topic of conversation. Safety professionals should also advocate for dedicated time on leadership agendas and/or weekly one-on-one meetings with key organizational leaders. Stop #3: Build Trust Trust among co-workers is built over time and requires intentional effort from all parties. To strengthen relationships and build trust, safety professionals must invest time in meaningful interactions with senior leaders to better understand their priorities, values and communication preferences. They also must intentionally strive to build a track record of safety success, which could start with small projects that eventually evolve into larger initiatives (e.g., pilot programs). Part II: Marketing Marketing is key to garnering strong leadership support for initiatives. Safety professionals who consistently earn buy-in for their programs have learned how to get people excited about and involved with their ideas. Stop #4: Collaborate to Create Ownership In the interviews we conducted, safety professionals told us their senior leaders want to influence a safety initiative’s final design. So, instead of presenting leaders with fully developed plans, these safety professionals now invite leaders to participate early in an initiative’s development process. Senior leaders often have unique insight into the organizations they work for; when shared with safety professionals, this insight can improve a safety initiative’s alignment with organizational goals. Plus, a senior leader who actively participates in the development of a safety initiative is typically much more inclined to support that initiative when it’s rolled out. During our research, one safety professional shared the process of revising what would have turned out to be an expensive behavior-based safety program. The revisions were prompted by senior leader feedback and resulted in a more cost-effective, impactful solution. Stop #5: Get the Timing Right Timing can significantly influence whether an initiative succeeds or fails. External events, internal organizational disruptions and competing priorities can propel or derail efforts. Safety professionals should strongly consider postponing the launch of safety initiatives during major company changes and when competing demands exist, such as restructurings or major rollouts. However, safety professionals can also use timing to their advantage by highlighting internal incidents, external news stories and published studies to make the case to senior leaders that now is the right time to implement a specific safety initiative. Stop #6: Craft a Compelling Argument Whether senior leaders want to support a safety initiative depends on how safety aligns with their priorities. So, safety professionals must quantify the impact of a specific problem as well as the projected savings from a recommended safety initiative due to reduced injury rates, increased productivity and/or improved retention. It’s also important for safety professionals to humanize safety issues that still exist in the work environment. For example, use the names of workers who were hurt during the last reporting cycle to tell a compelling story to senior leaders about the organizational impact of those incidents – and the many ways the organization stands to benefit by adopting targeted safety initiatives. Part III: Follow-Up By documenting and sharing the results of a safety initiative with senior leaders, safety professionals can gain more credibility – and greater leadership support for future initiatives. Stop #7: Create Metrics and Ask for Accountability Metrics must be established and tracked to measure an initiative’s impact. Tracking should include tangible changes. For example, a safety initiative that targets job planning could track how frequently multiple voices are heard during a job planning discussion. That number should then be communicated to leaders each month to help maintain their focus on the initiative. Metrics can also help senior leaders and safety professionals identify when additional efforts or new strategies are needed. Another important item to note: Metrics reporting is a great opportunity to communicate specific steps senior leaders can take to further support the initiative. If a leader chooses not to take those steps, schedule time with them to discuss their hesitancy to contribute to the initiative’s success. Stop #8: Be Persistent – and Patient Change takes time, and resistance to change is inevitable. That’s why safety professionals must set realistic expectations about the length of time it will take to (1) see results from an initiative and (2) identify and advocate for new solutions if the initiative does not initially succeed. But don’t worry – safety professionals don’t have to do this all on their own. By following this article’s guidance, they can collaborate and forge strong relationships with senior leaders to develop and implement targeted organizational safety initiatives to better protect their employees. About the Authors: Sharon Lipinski is the Habit SuperHero and CEO of Habit Mastery Consulting (https://habitmasteryconsulting.com), which helps organizations increase their targeted safety behavior by up to 150%. She is a Certified Gamification for Training developer, certified cognitive behavioral therapist for insomnia instructor, speaker, TV personality and coach dedicated to helping people create the right habits so they can be happier, healthier and safer at home and in their work. Wesley L. Wheeler, SMS, CESCP, MSP, is the executive director of safety for the National Electrical Contractors Association (www.necanet.org). He joined the organization in 2014 and has over 45 years of electrical experience. Keith Wheeler is president and chief human resources officer at HR Resources of the Carolinas LLC (https://hrresourcesofthecarolinas.com). With over 30 years of human resources management and leadership experience, he provides guidance to a variety of U.S. organizations and industries to help them meet the challenges of a rapidly changing workforce.
Step 4
A retired lineman recalls details and lessons learned from an electrical contact that killed his best friend.
This story is about a devastating accident that took the life of one of my best friends many years ago. I have always been somewhat reluctant to speak or write about it because dealing with my friend’s family in the aftermath of his death was extremely painful. As time has marched on, however, I’ve found myself thinking it’s time to share the details of the accident with other lineworkers in hopes of helping them avoid and prevent similar accidents in the future. Background During my high school years in Salinas, California, I became friends with a fellow student by the name of David White. We became close over time, playing football and hunting together, among other activities. After high school, we were both hired as groundmen by a local utility company. We progressed through our apprenticeships together and, in 1963, became journeymen linemen at the same time. Off the job, our families frequently spent time together. Jane, David’s wife, was employed as an X-ray technician at a hospital in Salinas; together they had a son who was about 3 years old at the time of this story. David’s father also worked for the local utility company for many years, eventually advancing to the position of customer services supervisor. Our career paths split after David and I had worked as linemen for a few years. I became a line foreman while David became a troubleman. At that time, the utility company’s troublemen worked alone performing a variety of tasks, such as switching, setting meters and investigating customer problems. Each troubleman was assigned a geographic area of the company’s service territory. On the day of the accident, my crew and I were installing underground cables for a new commercial development in North Salinas. Around 2 p.m., the line superintendent was visiting my job site to discuss the progress of the job. While we were talking, he received a call from the dispatcher, who explained that a customer had called to say that he’d observed a utility worker hanging from a pole near Zabala Road. The dispatcher also stated that earlier in the day, he had dispatched David White to investigate a power outage to an irrigation pump in the area. After hearing all this, I immediately threw my lineman tools and a handline into the back of the superintendent’s pickup truck. The two of us then headed off toward Zabala Road. Arrival at the Scene The Salinas Valley is relatively flat, so when we arrived near Zabala Road, we were able to visually scan the area. Sure enough, we saw a man hanging from a transformer pole at the secondary level. He was supported by his safety strap and bent over backward. The superintendent and I sped off along a dirt road and, after arriving at the transformer pole, confirmed it was my friend David White hanging from the pole. We then contacted the utility company’s dispatcher to request emergency services at the scene. Next, I rapidly donned my tools, grabbed the handline I’d brought with me, climbed up to where David was hanging and positioned myself underneath him. While I was rigging up to lower him, it became obvious to me that he was no longer alive. The superintendent and I attempted artificial respiration after we got David to the ground, but it was hopeless. When emergency services arrived, they confirmed he had been dead for about one hour. Upon removal of David’s badly burned leather gloves, I saw that his hands had sustained severe burns as well. Emergency services loaded David’s body into the ambulance and headed back to town. Meanwhile, the superintendent and I attempted to figure out the details of what had happened to my friend. Investigating the Accident We first noticed that one fuse was blown on the primary side of a wye/delta three-phase connection that supplied three-wire 480-volt service to the irrigation pump. The superintendent and I also observed that the meter protector was burnt and damaged. It was clear that David had been attempting to figure out whether the blown fuse was caused by a defective transformer or a problem within the service riser or metering equipment. From what we were able to determine, David had taken the following steps to identify the source of the problem:
  • Inspected the transformer bank, service and meter.
  • Opened the customer’s main switch, isolating the wiring and pump motor.
  • Replaced the blown fuse to see if the bank was OK; the fuse then blew again.
  • Opened the secondary jumpers to isolate the service and meter.
After David completed those steps, we believe he must have planned to re-fuse and then check to see if the bank was OK. This was the step during which his electrical contact occurred. For unknown reasons, he failed to open the other fuses. So, when David opened the first jumper, he placed himself in series with a flow of 7200 volts due to a short between the primary and secondary windings of one of the transformers. A line crew that was dispatched to the scene replaced all three transformers. Each of the old transformers was thoroughly tested in the transformer shop, where it was confirmed that the winding insulation in one of the transformers had deteriorated, creating a dead short between the primary and secondary windings. The power flow diagram below shows the source and flow of the power that caused the accident. Power Flow Diagram Preventing a Recurrence David could have prevented his electrical contact in these circumstances if he had opened all the primary fuses before he isolated the service and meter. Additionally, wearing rubber gloves would have insulated his hands from the flow of power. This tragedy underscores the potential perils of solo work and the importance of being exceptionally careful and observant when working alone. Had David been a part of a line crew that responded to the trouble, it is likely another crew member would have reminded him to open the other fuses before isolating the service. Prior to the accident, the utility company’s safety rule book already required employees to wear rubber gloves when working on energized 480-volt secondaries. After David passed away, the company added a rule requiring lineworkers to wear rubber gloves when working on the secondary side of any transformer suspected to be faulty. This accident is a prime example of how and why many safety rules and procedures have been established over the years. The Aftermath For me, the last part of this story is also the worst part. The superintendent and I returned to the yard after we’d finished our preliminary investigation at the accident site. As you might imagine, the employees in the yard were in a state of concern and confusion as to what had happened. Once we confirmed that David was gone, the group consensus was that I should be the one to inform his father. I agreed and drove to the main office to speak with him, attempting to explain what had happened as best I could. When David’s father regained some of his composure, he said, “Alan, you have to be the one to inform his wife.” Once again, I reluctantly agreed and headed toward the hospital where Jane worked. We sat in a private room while I gradually explained what had happened to David. Not surprisingly, it was a highly emotional discussion. Even now, decades later, it is difficult for me to describe how I felt that night once I made it home. I considered the upcoming funeral and how that would be. David’s accident left an indelible impression on me, further elevating my commitment to practice and promote safety at every opportunity. Conclusion This story is just one example of what can – and does – happen in our line of work. Transformers are some of the most common pieces of equipment lineworkers install and maintain. Their compact design places the high- and low-voltage windings close together, an arrangement that can result in a short circuit – the same as what occurred in David’s accident. Transformers are also susceptible to the buildup of internal pressure, which can result in hazardous explosions. The bottom line here is that lineworkers must be properly trained for the tasks they’re expected to perform; they must acquire the expertise to select appropriate transformers and transformer fuses, make the correct connections and safely investigate trouble situations. About the Author: Alan Drew began his power industry career in 1959. While working for a local utility company, he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Drew was hired as the general superintendent for Clallam County Public Utility District in 1991. He moved to Boise, Idaho, in 1998, where he became an instructor with Northwest Lineman College and advanced to the position of senior vice president of research and development. He is a lifetime member of IEEE and a 2008 International Lineman Museum Hall of Fame inductee. Drew’s most recent accomplishment is writing “The American Lineman,” a book that honors the evolution and importance of the U.S. lineman. He retired in 2020 and is now a part-time technical consultant for Northwest Lineman College.

In this episode of the iP Utility Safety Podcast, we take a deep dive into a common yet challenging workplace issue: bad attitudes. But instead of just discussing the problem, we explore proven leadership strategies to transform negativity into productivity. Drawing insights from an Incident Prev…
Photo: Bulwark Protection
A layered approach that includes FR/AR undergarments can enhance worker safety, comfort and compliance.
Given the arc flash hazards and other risks that exist in electric utility work environments, an employer’s commitment to employee safety must never falter. It is essential for workers to wear personal protective equipment in these environments; in particular, prior to exposure, workers must don fl…
Employers can more effectively protect employees by using a planned process to develop their safety initiatives.
Let’s kick off this new series by considering a simple question: Why do we need safety? Here’s my answer: Safety is a must because hazards and threats exist in our work environments that could cause harm to both our employees and our organizations. Any initiative designed to protect workers f…
A car and travel trailers
Research indicates use of these practical tactics can help safety professionals garner greater leadership support for their programs.
In a recent survey we conducted, 97% of safety professionals who responded confirmed that gaining senior leader buy-in for their safety programs was either very important or extremely important to them. This research project was a joint effort between the National Electrical Contractors Associat…

In this episode of the iP Utility Safety Podcast, we take a deep dive into a common yet challenging workplace issue: bad attitudes. But instead of just discussing the problem, we explore proven leadership strategies to transform negativity into productivity. Drawing insights from an Incident Prev…
Photo: Bulwark Protection
A layered approach that includes FR/AR undergarments can enhance worker safety, comfort and compliance.
Given the arc flash hazards and other risks that exist in electric utility work environments, an employer’s commitment to employee safety must never falter. It is essential for workers to wear personal protective equipment in these environments; in particular, prior to exposure, workers must don fl…
Employers can more effectively protect employees by using a planned process to develop their safety initiatives.
Let’s kick off this new series by considering a simple question: Why do we need safety? Here’s my answer: Safety is a must because hazards and threats exist in our work environments that could cause harm to both our employees and our organizations. Any initiative designed to protect workers f…
A car and travel trailers
Research indicates use of these practical tactics can help safety professionals garner greater leadership support for their programs.
In a recent survey we conducted, 97% of safety professionals who responded confirmed that gaining senior leader buy-in for their safety programs was either very important or extremely important to them. This research project was a joint effort between the National Electrical Contractors Associat…