Several issues have recently come about regarding the work PG&E’s Tower Department performs that should be performed by Qualified Electrical Workers (QEWs).
Some of these issues involve installing hot sticks on energized conductors, raising towers while lines are still energized, and installing grounds to lines that must be considered energized until proven de-energized and grounded by a QEW.
Some of these practices have been suspended, but not all, and we will be meeting with representatives of the tower department on April 8 to go over all the concerns and look for resolution that will meet the regulatory requirements and still be able to perform the work they do so well.