Local 1245 had a rash of very serious accidents over the past month, as well as a fatality. Below are quick summaries of what is known about these incidents. Investigations are under way to look for the root causes.
On July 27, 2012, Outside Line Construction member Curtis Zahourek, 47, was fatally injured in a job-related accident working for 3 Phase Line Construction. Curtis, a 24-year IBEW Local 1245 member, was in the process of relocating vibration dampers on a fiber–optic line in the area of Bridgeville, CA as part of some go back work to a project that was completed at the end of 2011.
While attached to the fiber-optic line that was double dead-ended to two separate legs on the lattice steel transmission tower approximately 70’ in the air, the steel link that was used to dead-end the fiber to the tower leg broke. When the first link broke it apparently shock loaded the other steel link on the other leg of the tower, resulting in the fiber optic line falling to the ground with Curtis attached. This accident is being investigated by CalOSHA.
Serious Accident: Lineman
On Aug. 7, at approximately 12:00 pm, a construction lineman working for Contra Costa Electric suffered serious injuries resulting from a fall from height. The incident occurred at the Shell Refinery in Martinez. David Hanson, 29, a member of IBEW Local Union 953 who had been working in California for a little over a year, was part of a 5-man crew working to install a ground-operated switch that was located in the primary circuit an estimated 50 feet above ground. What is known so far:
The primary circuit was a 12kV circuit which was de-energized and grounded. The secondary circuit was 2,300 volts. This circuit was energized, but properly protected with line hose and rubber blankets. David was working on the primary circuit cross-arm, and was belted off above the cross-arm at the top of the pole.
For reasons yet to be determined, possibly during an effort to reposition himself, the lineman’s climbing belt came up and over the top of the pole. David fell onto the rubber line hose on the circuit below and slid several feet on the hose along two conductors. He then lost his grip and fell to the ground an estimated 40 feet below.
David has undergone numerous surgeries and has made some progress in his recovery although he still has a long way to go. David has been surrounded by his new wife and family. Investigations by CalOSHA, Shell Refinery and the employer are all underway.
Serious Accident: Inspector
On July 27, an inspector assigned to watch over a contract crew received second degree burns to his arm, shoulder, neck, chest and back as a result of an arc flash in a pad mount transformer. Details are not known right now as to what initiated the flash; however, what is known is the inspector was assigned to a contract crew that had just blown in a stringline into the transformer and the inspector grabbed the line and tied it off. The inspector stated that he went to remove the plywood they had installed to shield the bushing from flying debris at which time the flash occurred. The injured stated that he blacked out and that he doesn’t know what happened. An investigation into this accident is underway.
Other Accidents
At approximately 9:00 am on Aug. 14, a Transmission Troubleman, was injured while assessing a downed wire situation during the recent fires in the Clearlake area. The troubleman was taking pictures of down wires and burned equipment when his feet slipped out from underneath him while descending down a steep slope, seriously injuring his knee. He went to the hospital where he was evaluated and released. He will require surgery.
A serious accident was reported out of Utah. It involved a 3-man line crew pulling a 65′ transmission pole in a corridor 30′ from an energized 69kv line on one side and a dead and grounded line on the other. In extracting the pole the crew made a critical error in opening the claws while the pole was top heavy and getting it into the energized phase, resulting in severe electrical burns to the journeyman lineman (both legs amputated knees down) and the groundman (right leg amputated & may lose both hands). This accident is also under investigation.
Hold the Pull
The Hold the Pull peer to peer committee is continuing to meet with the pre-apprentice groups at the Livermore Training Center. Apprentice groups usually number between 15-20 students per class and the meetings are between 1- 2 hours in duration. At these meetings it has been found that some apprentices have no knowledge or experience with the union while others have worked in the line trade and have some experience. Many times they express misconceptions about the union. On safety topics most apprentices express that they are a group who has little voice on safety matters and if they speak up are vulnerable to others in superior positions. The peer-to-peer group’s main message is that everyone has ownership of safety and is responsible to themselves and others to have a safe workplace. The purpose of the Hold the Pull sessions with the pre-apprentices is to try to dispel misconceptions and speak frankly about line crew dynamics. In most sessions apprentices are very vocal once they know they are among brothers who have their best interests at heart. The Hold the Pull committee has monthly meeting dates set for the rest of the year and hopes to continue throughout 2013.
Control the Pressure
The Control the Pressure peer to peer group meets Sept. 6 to plan their activities going into the fall and 2013. This group has been very active on the recently started Local 1245 safety steward secure website. Safety stewards and peer to peer committee members converse on this “chat room” style forum dedicated only to them and their safety issues or topics. All three peer safety initiatives have access to this site and the three groups are also able to view the activities of each other’s respective group.
Keep the Clearance
The Keep the Clearance tree peer to peer committee is in the process of planning a safety steward training to take place on Sept. 27 at the Vacaville hall. In June and July the KTC committee was visiting unit meetings to collect safety steward volunteers, of which they have gained 36. The training will cover the peer to peer concept, roles and responsibilities and member support skills. The training will be conducted by the peer to peer group itself and will be bilingual. There will also be training on using the new peer to peer secure website.
First Responder Training Program
The first week of September marks the beginning of the IBEW Local 1245 First Responder Training Program. This program is a safety initiative whose overall purpose is to reach out to the firefighter and law enforcement community and train them on responding to utility emergencies and coordinating with utility responders. The instructor, Business Representative Richard Lane, is a former 25-year employee of the Turlock Irrigation District line department and a first responder trainer. If you know any responder groups in need of training, contact Rich by email at rvl5@ibew or by phone at 209-202-9492.
Brochures and program details are available by email or snail mail.
To date six training sessions have been scheduled in September, including a six-hour program for the Modesto Junior College Regional Fire Training Center. This program is designed to train all groups from volunteer or full time firefighters, CalFire and Forest Service groups and state or local law enforcement. The program duration is from 2 to 6 hrs.
FR Clothing
Its official: PG&E has changed vendors for their FR Clothing program. Below is a communications that went out regarding this change.
New FR Clothing Supplier and Ordering Process
PG&E is transitioning to a new Flame-Resistant (FR) clothing supplier. It’s important for leaders and their employees who wear FR clothing to understand the new procurement processes to ensure they are able to acquire the appropriate FR clothing to safely perform their work.
The FR Clothing Transition Team is now working with impacted leaders and employees to introduce them to the new supplier, Riverside Manufacturing Company, to review the new ordering process and provide clothing fitting opportunities. Supervisors and P-card holders will receive a meeting notice to attend a conference call briefing to be held later this week. Impacted employees should attend an onsite orientation, which will be held in local facilities across the service territory throughout the month of August. For those unable to attend an orientation session, Web-based training will soon be available to employees.
New apparel catalogues have been developed and telephone and online ordering systems established. Employees with remaining 2011 – 2012 clothing allowance balances may continue to order clothing from the old supplier, Tyndale, through Sept. 30, 2012, using the existing ordering process. New clothing allowances for 2012 – 2013 will be available beginning Aug. 20, 2012, and must be spent with Riverside using the new ordering process. These allowances were previously negotiated with the IBEW (ESC agreement pending) and remain unchanged. Full-time FR clothing users get $450 per year, while part-time users get $225 per year to purchase FR clothing.
For more information about this transition, email or call Project Manager Andy Wyckoff (A1WU) at 707-577-1077
FR Clothing Committee
In addition to the new vendor PG&E has requested that Local 1245 provide members to the full FR Clothing committee. In the past Local 1245 has participated in certain aspects of the selection of items and allowance as well as other issues but never part of the regular full committee since this clothing has been deemed PPE.
Members who will be representing the Local on this committee are:
Electric
Restoration – Grant Estrada
Title 200 – Kris Hardman
Title 300 – Adam Cole
Gas
Title 200 Gas – Joe Joaquim
Daniel Stalcup – Title 300 Gas
Mark Embry – Field Service
CalOSHA PPE Requirements
CalOSHA unlike Federal OSHA doesn’t have a standard on who is required to pay for PPE; however, what they use for enforcement is case history that was settled in California Supreme Court (Bendex case) which determined that the employer is responsible to pay for all PPE. Last year this was explored but eventually was dismissed by the standards board. FedOSHA is now pushing CalOSHA to implement a standard specifically covering the duty to pay for PPE requirement and not rely on the legal decision outlined in the Bendex case. Here is an article related to this matter:
Pay for PPE Still an Issue
Fed-OSHA revived an issue that the Standards Board killed earlier this year after an advisory committee came to an impasse on the issue of employers’ duty to pay for personal protective equipment.
Fed-OSHA has an explicit requirement for this duty, but Cal/OSHA has long relied on case law for enforcement. In 2011 the Standards Board proposed a regulation that would have added General Industry Safety Orders §3380.1, but it generated controversy among labor, management and even board members. The board then convened an advisory committee to study the issue, but in March committee members decided in favor of the status quo.
Employers didn’t want the “pay for PPE” rules codified unless certain exemptions allowed under the federal rules were included, such as situations where workers repeatedly lose or damage PPE or equipment workers may use in their off time.
Labor opposed the exemptions, contending that they could give employers loopholes allowing them to avoid their obligation.
The Standards Board “needs to resolve this issue,” Fed-OSHA said. The board was supposed to adopt a response in May 2008, FAME notes.
Standards Board Executive Officer Marley Hart said she had not seen the FAME report at press time. Board staff has sent the Pay-for-PPE proceedings to Fed-OSHA Oakland area office director David Shiraishi, who in turn was expected to forward that to OSHA officials. “Nothing more has been requested of us,” Hart said.
PGE Respirator Medical Evaluation Requirement
PG&E medical consultant has been denying workers who have diabetes a medical clearance to be respirator certified. If a member is diabetic and treated with insulin, the only way the medical provider will recommend to your employer that you be allowed to use a respirator without restriction, is if you meet the following requirements:
1. Grant permission to the medical provider to notify your employer that you are a diabetic on insulin.
2. You will need to agree to test your blood sugar (BS) at work as follows:
- Carry a glucose monitor with memory
- Carry a source of rapidly absorbable glucose and have food available
- Check BS within one hour of starting work
- If BS less than 100mg/dl, notify your supervisor that you are unable to use a respirator without a partner:
- Eat or take glucose and recheck in 30 minutes;
- Do not use a respirator without a partner until BS is greater than 100mg/dl
- Check BS every 2-4 hours while at work
- If BS less than 100mg/dl, notify your supervisor that you are unable to use a respirator without a partner:
- Eat or take glucose and recheck in 30 minutes;
- Do not use a respirator without a partner until BS is greater than 100mg/dl
- If BS greater than 400mg/dl, do not use a respirator without a partner until BS returns to 100 to 400mg/dl range (use additional insulin per standing order of your treating physician)
3. Provide to the medical provider a diabetes medical clearance letter from your endocrinologist with specific information required by the medical provider. The medical clearance letter will be provided by the medical provider for your physician to complete (if you are not seeing an endocrinologist, a note from your regular physician who is treating your diabetes will be acceptable).
Agree to report to your employer and to the medical provider any significant episode of low BS that results in confusion, passing out, or the need for medical assistance. Such report is to be made prior to resuming working after such an
Health and Safety Committee Report
Health and Safety Committee held their meeting on July 19 and again on Aug. 16. Some of the items discussed:
- The first annual safety summit was held in July and attended by the safety committee members and received a lot of positive feedback.
- The committee reviewed Vehicle Code Subsection 3, 34501.2 Hours of Service Regulations making exempt from hours of service utilities involved in restoration of service in an emergency and while operating within a 100 mile radius of their base of operations.
- The committee discussed the feasibility of offering a safety program in which 1245 members would nominate person(s) who they feel exemplifies the safe worker. The details of this concept are still open and some research on a program like this will be done by the committee.
- The committee discussed possible CalOSHA regulations that would require gas welders to do air monitoring and wear respiratory protection while welding on pipe.
There was also a discussion about hearing conservation requirements. OSHA regulations are that employees subjected to long term exposures of noise at 90bd PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) within an 8-hour time weighted average should be baseline tested and have annual hearing tests. The National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines are 85dbl over an 8 hr. TWA. Hearing loss can occur slowly without notice over time. Low and high tone hearing loss is difficult to detect and damage can occur unless an employee has their hearing tested on a regular basis. Employers are required to test high noise areas or machinery, offer hearing conservation education and provide hearing protection where required at no cost to the employee. (Source: osha.gov/noisehearing conservation)
Injury Reports
An injury was reported that a lineman’s ankle was injured while a crew was doing a backyard pole set. The injury occurred while the pole was being elevated. Earlier the crew had repositioned the winch line and the line was resting against a sharp metal part near the boom sheave. When pressure was applied to the line it snapped and the pole fell landing and rolling against the lineman ankle. The lineman suffered a swollen ankle.
A journeyman lineman was severely burned while setting a plastic cover on a live 480 volt meter socket. The lineman had pulled the meter for a city pump crew who had broken a lug connector and requested the service be de-energized. Prior to the lineman’s arrival the pump worker had placed an allen wrench attachment on the top of the panel. While the socket cover was being placed the allen attachment rolled from the top of the panel and fell into the meter socket causing a cross phase. The lineman suffered first and second degree burns to his hands and face. At the time of the incident the lineman was not wearing gloves but was wearing eye protection. He is expected to have a full recovery.
Near Miss Reports
Please check out these recent near-misses.
Assistant Business Manager Ralph Armstrong is chairman of the IBEW Local 1245 Safety Committee.