Among employees most at risk during winter are electrical utility workers. Not only do they have to brave the bitter cold outdoors, they are also in charge of servicing damaged or downed power lines, as well as clearing fallen trees. Such tasks are already highly dangerous so you can just imagine the risks involved when workers have to do these jobs in the middle of a winter storm.
Today, we won’t stop at just imagining these risks. Instead, we’ll go into the safe work practices that electrical utility workers must follow when repairing damaged or downed power lines and trees.
Fatal Hazards
Here are some of the hazards involved with servicing damaged or downed power lines and fallen trees:
- Falls from heights
- Electrocution by contacting downed energized lines or trees in contact with fallen lines
- Getting hit or crushed by ice or broken/falling tree limbs, poles, or towers
- Getting injured in vehicular accidents on the way to the emergency scene
- Burns from fires caused by energized lines or equipment failure
Safety Precautions
Now that you know just how disastrous things can get in these emergency situations, here are the safety measures electrical utility workers must follow to eliminate or control the hazards that may befall them:
- Before doing any repairs or starting with any work procedure, electrical utility workers must first assess the hazards present in the situation.
- It’s best to de-energize all power lines.
- Use additional protection from ground like barricades or insulation.
- Workers should wear proper PPE including fall protection, head protection, eye protection, foot protection, gloves, and chaps.
- Don appropriate hearing protection when working with chippers or chainsaws.
- Use proper footwear to protect yourself from slippery surfaces.
- Use only appropriate power equipment designed to be used outdoors and in wet conditions.
- Make sure that appropriate guards are used with all machines.
- Employees must be extra vigilant during the whole procedure as winter storms can present unexpected conditions like falling trees, poles and ice.
Click HERE for additional tips on working with or near power lines.
Related Links:
Safety Measures for Changing Weather
5 Distractions that Cause Workplace Hazards
Cold Stress Prevention: 7 Safety Tips to Avoid Hypothermia and Frostbite
Top 10 OSHA Fines for Small Companies
