In today’s fast-paced world, how often do we drive by a work zone? I would say pretty often if you live in an area of high growth like I do. Ask yourself this—did the placement of traffic placards and safety cones give proper...
When conducting live line tool work, or “hot sticking,” lineworkers are at extreme risk of electrical contact. Hot sticking is a highly specialized technique that involves using insulated tools designed specifically for work...
With nearly three decades of experience in the safety profession, O’Brien Mills has served much of his tenure at Aldridge Electric Inc., Libertyville, Ill. Since joining Aldridge in 2001, Mills has been the driving force...
The shortage of skilled tradespeople has been felt by contractors and customers and well-documented by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But thanks to its newly constructed, state-of-the-art training facility in Indianola...
Before the 1980s, communication and transmission tower work was a small, highly specialized industry. Over the past 40 years, the field has dramatically expanded, driven by demand for wireless and broadcast communications. As...
Falls remain the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Despite OSHA’s ongoing campaign to raise awareness about fall prevention, many employers still fail to plan appropriately for individual jobs and provide...
For as long as I can remember, fall protection has been in the top 10 of OSHA’s most-cited safety violations. More times than not it has been in the top five. No matter how many national stand-downs OSHA or individual...
According to Jeff Cordill, director of safety and risk management at Christenson Electric Inc. in Portland, Ore., the key to a successful career in safety within the line contracting industry is building trusting...
Vegetation such as trees, shrubs, vines and brush can create serious safety hazards and costly repairs for utility companies when overgrowth encroaches on power lines or energized equipment. When vegetation grows onto live...
The National Electrical Safety Code and National Electrical Code are similar in their overall purpose and safe electrical installations. They also overlap in some respects as applied to properties and premises wiring systems...
A great deal has changed over the years when it comes to managing safety for lineworkers, said Dan Gadacz, CSP, ASP, CUSP, and vice president of safety for Power Corporation of America (PCA) in Port Orange, Fla. Gadacz began...
Objectives Upon completing this training, the employee will be able to: Describe the added dangers of storm restoration operations Identify the appropriate steps to take to avoid injury during storm restoration efforts...
There have been many changes and new challenges in ensuring line contractors perform their work safely, but Matthew C. Compher is up to the task. Compher, vice president of safety, health, environmental and quality at Houston...
Mike Starner, a certified utility safety professional, joined the National Electrical Contractors Association in July as director of outside line safety, a new position. “The outside line is a major area of emphasis for us...
