Electricity Today T&D Magazine

Protecting utility workers with documented reporting

BY MIKE DOHERTY, PowerTel Utilities Contractors Limited

Within the lineman trade, accountabilities for the documentation of various inspections, job safety analyses (JSAs), audits, safe work practices (SPGs), qualifications, safety meetings, supervisor’s crew visits, safety manager and senior management inspections, and compliance reporting are some examples of the significant differences between decades ago and expectations for high-end crews in today’s due-diligent workplaces.

There are significant challenges within the lineman trade based on human performance, culture of the work environment, nature of the specific work, and the basic fact that most tasks are carried out...

Infrared safety: using thermal technologies to protect workers

BY DOUG BARRY, FLIR Systems

Disconnect switches, elbow connectors, cutouts, lightning arrestors, oil-filled circuit breakers, and other electrical components tend to heat up before they fail. The ability to detect overheating on such equipment long before it becomes critical is essential for preventing costly unplanned outages and for protecting workers from exposure to potential arc flashes and faults. The experienced and well-trained know it’s crucial to heed industry standards about maintaining a safe working distance. That’s why more electricians and utility companies are turning to thermal imaging as a practical and more...