SMUD Building Maintenance Mechanic Injured
A UARP building maintenance mechanic was injured while snaking a drain with motorized equipment. We believe his hand was pulled into the drain when his glove became caught. Our building maintenance mechanic was taken to the hospital and underwent hand surgery. He was released from the hospital late yesterday and is resting at home. We’ll share more information with you when we know what went wrong and what we’re doing to fix it. Please review this Safety Alert in your safety meetings and post on your SIRC/Safety bulletin board. (Note: Reported to I/O Form 173 on 2-13-15)
Non-Injury Vehicle Rollover
A tree truck driver was traveling north-bound when he crossed the “fog line.”There was approximately five inches of pavement outside of the fog line then a deep ditch. The right front wheel entered the ditch and the Driver attempted to steer out of the ditch by cranking the steering wheel to the right. The truck then came out of the ditch and crossed into the south-bound lane and flopped over on its side. The truck was heavily damaged. The Company took the Crew Foreman and Climber for a medical check, and both were OK with some bruises. The Driver was drug-tested after the accident with negative results. The Driver was given written discipline for unsafe operation of a vehicle and was taken off work for three days. He has returned to work and the Climber returned to work on the day following the accident.
PG&E Lineman Breaks Hand
An apprentice was at the top of the pole in his hooks. When a Lineman began to ascend the pole, the apprentice dropped a grip for the end of the hoist for the 4/0 copper wire. Grip fell 25 feet and struck the Lineman below in right hand, resulting in a broken hand, requiring surgery. The incident occurred in Hat Creek/Westwood, but due to employee residing in San Francisco, the decision was made to drive the employee home to have surgery in San Francisco.