PowerTel practices its rescue plans on jobsite with IHSA

PowerTel is a large utility-contracting firm that has been in business since 1968. Though they have been around for some time, it doesn’t mean they don’t practice their safety techniques before a large project.

Greg Williamson is a manager in IHSA’s Prevention Specialty Services department. He visited PowerTel on a jobsite this past spring to review pole top rescue, bucket evacuation, and bucket rescue with one of their crews. The three rescue practices are critical in an emergency and should be reviewed and physically practiced on a regular basis.

As well Greg evaluated five powerline technician apprentices from PowerTel and observed the crew. Greg was able to watch and comment on the safe work procedures being employed by workers. The crew had a meeting with Greg on the second day of his visit to review his findings and his recommendations for improvement.

 

These reviews and practices were all part of PowerTel’s effort to prepare for a new project.

The jobsite was part of a project that has been in the works since February 2009. The work was awarded in September 2009. PowerTel is performing a turnkey project for RES Construction Canada direct to design, procure materials and install a 230 kV wood pole H-frame transmission line between the collector substation and the interconnection switching station.

PowerTel has also been awarded the next RES job – their next wind project in Thunder Bay.