Safety Meeting Topics
Changes in Personal Protective Grounding
***NEW***
We joined ECOS (Electric Culture of Safety) again, this time with Senior Consultant Dan Taylor, CUSP hosting another Lineman Safety National Webinar. You don't know what you don't know... and in our industry, as you all know, sometimes what you don't know CAN hurt you! Keep your focus on safety and share this video with your crew today.
A Leader's #1 Task
***NEW***
Mack Turner, ISPC Executive Director, joined ECOS (Electric Culture of Safety) to host a Lineman Safety National Webinar in early 2023. As a leader, make sure you keep in mind what your TOP PRIORITY is, and ask yourself "Did I save a life today?"
Substation Construction Safety
***NEW***
This presentation will help participants gain knowledge about substation construction safety and be able to:
- Apply standards and policies to the work area
- Identify basic components of a substation
- Identify energized and non-energized components
- Understand minimum approach distances
- Know the requirements of barricading and barrier application
Disaster Site Hazard Awareness
What a disaster! Or, is it? I’m not sure! What should I do? It’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you don’t know something, you just don’t know. Disaster Site Hazard Awareness is a good tool to have under your hat.
Downloadable PowerPoint File
CPR
This is another OSHA required training that must be completed every two years. We are required to have in our possession a current CPR card. With the continued improvements and or changes to CPR techniques, it is a must to keep up to date on our rescue skills.
Fall Protection
It isn’t the fall that hurts, it’s the sudden stop. What can we do to prevent this law of gravity from hurting us? "Fall Protection is just for beginners, right?" "We old hands don’t need it!" FAMOUS LAST WORDS! We are ALL in need of fall protection in one form or other.
Defensive Driving for Large Vehicles
What does “defensive driving” mean? As commercial drivers, we have a responsibility to the public to always operate our large vehicles in a safe and secure manner. With the changes in traffic, weather conditions, road conditions, and whatever else comes our way, we need to be prepared. We need to be defensive drivers.
Digger Derrick Operator Training
Do we really have time for digger operator training? After all, time is money. With the rising costs of repairs, not to mention the down time, this makes the need for proper Digger Derrick Operator Training more important, not less. We can’t build power lines without diggers, nor can we keep them on the line without properly trained operators.
Hot Line Tools
Have you ever wondered how many lineworkers were injured or killed over the years in the development of Hot Line Tools? Because of them, your jobs have been made easier and so much safer. What a wonderful invention hot line tools are. We should learn about and appreciate them every day.
Electrical Safety for First Responders
First responders are all amazing people! They are the first ones to the scene of an accident, and they are usually the last ones to leave. What can we do to help keep them safe? This presentation is a must for all EMS personnel.
The 'Intersect Method' of Hazard Analysis
This webinar introduces the participant to highly effective work-site hazard analysis using an ISPC original and proven model for Hazard Analysis known as ‘The Intersect’. The Intersect model is a simple to remember three-part process that can be employed in any workplace. The Intersect 3-part model is easily delivered to the workforce as an effective method of tailboard assessment of the real hazards that typically are overlooked. The webinar includes a more detailed look at effective hazard assessment for Safety personnel to give them additional effective skills in performing worksite assessments.
M.A.D. in T&D
This M.A.D. in T&D webinar clearly explains both the electrical concepts of ‘air’ as insulation and cover-up requirements related to Minimum Approach Distances as well as the OSHA rules for M.A.D. The session covers M.A.D. in distribution, transmission, and substations, and the related requirements for ‘insulation and isolation’ that are alternatives to, as well as part of, protecting qualified workers from electrical contact exposures.
Telecom Worker Electrical Awareness
The scope of this training course is designed for those who work on or near electrical hazards underground and on the pole. Electrical safety awareness, overhead distribution system recognition, pole climbing rescue, bucket truck rescue, minimum approach distances, and grounding principles will all be discussed. This one-hour webinar is reduced from a comprehensive three-hour session that also covers Arc Flash Hazard awareness, the NESC Part 4 work rules and electrical cover gear. Our three-day onsite training includes field training to enhance telecommunications workers’ understanding of the hazards encountered on the job.
Cable Splicing and Terminations
The scope of this course is designed to help those employees who work with underground cable, splicing, and terminating. This one-hour webinar explains cable layers, stresses, underground splices, and terminations.
Aerial Device Operator Training
OSHA requires this training be completed by every field employee prior to use. Once the bucket truck inspection is complete the new operators should be doing the pre-trip flight inspection. This accomplishes two things: First, the truck is field tested (a requirement), and second, the new operator becomes familiar with the truck and how the hydraulic system works.
Field Care of Insulating Materials
Care of Insulating Materials what does that mean to you? Care of our rubber goods is one of the most important things we do everyday to keep us safe. Great habits that are developed as an apprentice lineman are essential to us. If we take care of our rubber goods they will take care of us.
Alcohol Testing Requirements
With the growing use of alcohol in the work force the need to test is becoming more important every day. To the most part the only employee that has a problem with being tested for alcohol is the one with a problem. If there is a random alcohol testing policy in place this helps to eliminate alcohol use at work.
Federal Motor Carriers Requirements
In 1966 when the Federal Motor Carrier bill was signed into law. It was recognized at that time the importance of protecting the public from the hazards associated with the trucking industry and all that goes with it. DOT requires us to know the Whats, the Whys, and the Hows.
Lockout / Tagout
This video covers the effects of lockout /tagout in the electric utility industry. ISPC describes the clearance procedures from OSHA and the NESC. Specific procedures concerning training and the electrical hazards associated with making lines and equipment safe to work on are also covered. NESC language covers the designated person, the qualified person, affected employees, work permits and re-energizing circuits as well as restoration of lines and equipment.
Defensive Driving
Tony Boyd has exemplified and demonstrated defensive driving skills for over 30 years. He has conducted defensive driving classes for CMV drivers, taught new drivers how to pass the third party DOT test for CMV drivers. This video will help remind your drivers what is expected of each CMV driver, as well as drivers of personal vehicles on company time.
Heat Stress
Heat related injuries and illnesses are considered a hazard to powerline construction and maintenance workers. These types of hazards are often ignored until a worker is injured or becomes ill from the heat induced hazards. This Safety Meeting Topic covers how to identify and mitigate the hazards of heat related injuries.
Working Near Forklifts
Forklifts are commonly used in areas frequented by Line Crew workers. Forklifts are potential hazards to workers in its proximity. This program helps those working around forklifts to recognize hazards that may not be apparent and provides some important tips to those workers on how to stay safe.
When to Use Flaggers - MUTCD Training
Work Zone Safety often requires the use of a qualified Flagger to help direct traffic and keep work zone workers safe. This program focuses on the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidelines in using Flaggers to enhance work zone safety.
Standby Generator Safety
Stand-by generators are being used more and more by businesses and residences after a storm or other emergency damages an electric system and knocks out power. This program is designed to recognize hazards associated with adding a generation device to a facility that is currently connected to a power grid, how to avoid potential accidents and how to help protect lineworkers during outage repair situations.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
The U.S. Department of Labor says that slips, trips and falls account for the majority of general industry accidents, making up 15% of all accidental deaths and 17% of all disabling work injuries. This unit is designed to help the worker become more aware of slip, trip and falling hazards all around the work place and how to mitigate those hazards to lower the probability of becoming a victim to this most common of injuring incidents.
Safe Bucket Truck Operations
If a bucket truck is misused or a failure occurs, an accident can happen. However, certain steps can be taken to minimize the possibility of a bucket truck related accident. This program focuses on inspecting equipment, planning jobs with safety in mind and on knowing and practicing the safety procedures critical in maintaining safety for both the operators and personnel on the ground. Sample
OSHA Record Keeping
Federal regulations require that OSHA defined records be maintained for accidents, injuries and fatalities experienced by Line Crew workers on the job. This program describes those records and suggests what information is requested and how to record it properly.
Proper Cover-Up Techniques Test
Covering up energized lines and equipment properly is critical to keeping Line Crew workers safe when doing ‘hot’ work. Many accident investigations conclude that adequate cover-up could have prevented the injury or fatality that had occurred. This ‘Test’ is a series of illustrations of structures, lines and equipment and asks the student to draw in what should be covered and to what extent. A recommended ‘Answer Key’ is provided.
Pre-Trip Inspection Training
Each day, bucket trucks, diggers and pole trailers should be checked for operating and road hazard safety. This program provides a clear and easy way to train drivers and operators in their responsibilities to inspect their over-the-road vehicles. Full color pictures show what to look for and simple to understand language explains how to do it.
Hazard Assessment and PPE Selection
An important part of any jobsite hazard assessment is then selecting the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the hazards identified. This program focuses on evaluating jobsite hazards with a view to protecting parts of the body that could be harmed. Then, various types of PPE are evaluated, with tips on how to select and use them effectively.
Personal Safety Tips
Troublemen and crew members are often expected to work in an around a customer’s property. Physical hazards may be encountered during these times, such as overgrown yards and lots, dogs or other animals and sometimes, the customers themselves. This video discusses some of the more common hazards lineworkers may encounter out in the community, doing their jobs, and how to prepare for and mitigate those hazards.
Personal Protective Grounding
When Line Crew workers de-energize lines and equipment to work on them, the hazard remains that the lines and equipment could be accidentally re-energized while the workers are in contact with them. Personal protective grounding is a critically important safety practice, in these instances. This program describes and illustrates one approach, considered to be a very effective way to protect workers should lines and equipment accidentally become energized: the Equipotential Method.
Ladder Safety
Portable ladders are one of the handiest, simplest tools we use. Because of their common usage, many people fail to recognize the hazards associated with using ladders. Planning and care are required to use ladders safely. This unit reviews the different types of ladders, proper inspection, their operating limits and the safety practices associated with using ladders at work.
Hazard Communication
Chemicals in the workplace can present a significant hazard if mishandled or accidentally discharged into the environment. This program deals with identifying chemicals in the workplace, interpreting warning labels, understanding Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS’s) and how Line Crew workers can protect themselves and respond to emergencies, if they occur.
Hand Tool Safety
Hand tools are used extensively by Line Crew workers and are often overlooked when evaluating hazards in the workplace. When used properly, hand tools make the job easier and safer. When used improperly, hand tools can become the enemy. This program teaches proper hand tool use and how to avoid injury.
Equipotential Grounding
Knowing how and when to ground lines and equipment is of critical safety importance to the lineworker when working around energized lines and equipment or on systems that are de-energized, but have the potential to become energized.
Emergency Action Plans
Emergency Action Plans (EAP’s) are not just for workers in large plants. Mobile Line Crews should plan for emergencies too. In this program crew members will learn how to establish an EAP for each jobsite and tips on conducting an effective Pre-Job or ‘Tailgate’ meeting to communicate to all crew members what to do in an emergency.
Driving with Cellphones
Over 204 million people in the U.S. use cell phones now, compared with about 109 million in 2011. At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010.Cellphone use is attributed as the cause of 26% the nation's car accidents. This can be an especially dangerous distraction when driving a DOT rated vehicle on public roads. This unit teaches the dangers associated with cell phone use while driving and provides some important tips to drivers.
Defensive Driving
Most Line Crews rely on large, DOT regulated trucks to get them from jobsite to jobsite and back to the yard at the end of the day. Accidents involving these large vehicles are rarely minor. This program highlights typical driving hazards and potentially dangerous conditions, the importance of inspecting and maintaining the vehicle and safe vehicle operations on the road.
Competent Trenching Safety
In most jobsite trenching situations, OSHA requires what is known as a Competent Person to be on-site assisting with the safe development, use and maintenance of trenches as well as the protection of all workers in and around a trench. This program helps to train workers to fulfill the role of the Competent Person at the trenching jobsite.
Arc Flash Safety
Arc flash is a serious hazard that can be devastating to those exposed to it. This training focuses on the requirements of NFPA 70E and includes major sections such as: Causes of an Electrical Arc, Working on Energized Equipment, Safety Protection Procedures and Flash Hazard Analysis. Includes sample hand-outs.
Fall Protection Harness
Current OSHA regulations require the use of a body harness while working from the aerial bucket of a bucket truck. The harness must also have a lanyard that is attached to a fixed point on the truck boom. This safety equipment provides an important level of fall protection for the worker in the bucket, but improper care, use, inspection and maintenance for the fall protection harness can compromise this safety factor. This Safety Meeting Topic discusses and illustrates how to properly use, inspect and maintain this important to maximize its safety features.