SAFETY TALK

By Steve Sniff

Rather than just going over a dry bullet list of dos and don’ ts, let’ s first talk about the concept of safety, not just the practice of it. Eighty-seven years ago, vehicle safety expert, Eleanor Everet, made the timeless statement:“ Safety is not a gadget but a state of mind.” The point she was making, of course, was that, in order to really be safe, you have to“ own” safety, not just practice it. Safety needs to be part of who you are, not just what you do.

Regarding high-lift safety, Lift and Access took the opportunity to speak with Rod Hemenway, a long-time utility serviceman in Payette, Idaho, about his safety regimen.

Steve Sniff: Rod, thank you for granting me this interview. We all appreciate getting safety reminders from someone who works“ in the trenches.” So, where are you employed and on what occasions do you need to use aerial-lift equipment?

Rod Hemenway: I have worked for the City of Payette for the last 10 years and have used heavy equipment for over 25 years. My high-lift experience is with a 70-foot bucket truck when we trim trees.

Steve: Obviously, equipment like this has high-risk potential. What precautions do you take to prepare yourself personally before climbing on to the machinery?

Rod: Before I use the bucket truck, I inspect my hard hat for damage, my harness for frays and the buckles for proper working order. I also completely inspect the tools that I will be using for the job, such as chainsaw and ropes.

Steve: Are there steps you take to ensure that the machine itself is in good operating condition and the jobsite is safe to work on?

Rod: Yes. Prior to use, I perform an inspection of the hoses and oil levels, and I make sure that the lift is operational and that the levers are working properly. I also perform a full inspection of the site before moving the equipment to ensure that plenty of room is available for the job at hand.

Steve: After you are in place in the bucket, what do you do prior to raising the lift?

Rod: I put on my PPE, which includes my harness, hard hat, gloves and safety glasses. And before the equipment is raised, I perform a second overhead review for powerlines.

Steve: Do you find that there are differences between running lift equipment in the cold of winter compared with the rest of the year?

Rod: Yes, it is definitely different in the winter. For example, the higher you are, the colder it is because of the wind. Also, in winter, more clothing is necessary and that can restrict your movement. We do not use the bucket truck when it is raining or snowing. And during the cold, we set a per person limit on the amount of time spent in the bucket.

Steve: Thank you, Rod. Clearly, you operate in a safety state of mind.

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Telecom & Utility Construction | Fall 2024