The IBEW Local 1245 Health and Safety committee is comprised of a cross-section of trades, representing the rank-and-file membership in matters related to safety. Supported by 1245 Safety Director Jody Castro, the committee gathers safety-related materials, respond to safety research requests and report safety issues to the local union. The members meet on a monthly basis at Local 1245 to review safety matters and are responsible to report accidents and injuries to the IBEW International Organization as mandated by IBEW International Bylaws. Members are welcome to contact them to discuss issues or report accidents and injuries. They are available to help. Email the Safety Committee
At its April 9 meeting, the Committee members reviewed reports of incidents and injuries including:
- Discussion of the Troubleshooter who was trapped by their truck while attempting to gain access through a gate. While his condition is still serious, it is reported to be improving.
- Discussion of a water treatment worker who was exposed to Hypochloride in 2023 when they cut into a pipe that had previously been mismarked, they are reported to be returning to work.
- A 250-pound cylinder fell from an elevated floor jack and made contact with the hand of a vehicle maintenance worker. They suffered the partial amputation of one finger.
- An electric line worker suffered an electrical contact (induction) when they accidentally detached a ground tail from a tower structure out of order. Thankfully another line worker was able to knock the ground clamp free. Minor injury sustained.
- An Apprentice Lineman was grazed by a ¾ ton pickup when it was unexpectedly operated while he was adjusting the tow hook. He had removed the keys from the ignition but not from the vehicle. Minor injury sustained.
- An electric line crew working on a pole replacement had energized lines suspended by a hot arm when it failed, allowing the suspended lines to fall into the worksite, striking the Foreman and an Apprentice. Minor injuries, no electrical contact to the crew.
- A line worker who was holding the cover on a panel while the property owner secured it suffered minor burns to one hand when a fault occurred.
- A two person crew in a 55’ bucket truck experienced a tip-over event after the passenger rear tires drifted off the roadway while they were traveling. No injuries.
At its May 14 meeting, the Committee reviewed reports of incidents and injuries including:
- A Bell helicopter model 206-L3 was conducting a semi-annual gas leak survey when it experienced a partial loss of control of the main rotor and was forced to make an emergency landing in an orchard. Minor injuries were noted but not transported, the helicopter suffered extensive damage due to the hard landing.
- An electric crew working to replace a clamshell transformer was pulling a load break elbow when it failed, coming apart in a way that would not allow it to be connected to the intended standoff. While pausing their work to find a way to safely proceed, the foreman attempted to take a measurement with a folding rule. It is believed that the tool created a path to the bracket holding the clamshell open and then to the line worker. Minor injuries.
- While working on storm damaged secondary a journey line worker heard a snap and took cover in their bucket as a tree falling through the primary dropped two phases and neutral on the bucket. Fortunately fuses cleared the line. No injuries.
- There was discussion about an incident where a civil worker operating a vac truck on a pole job lost his footing when the ground gave way and fell into the pole head first then into the hole, suffering a dislocated shoulder and laceration to the head.
- Our member from trees noted that PG&E is mandating tree contractors to provide driver training and inward facing cameras to help prevent vehicle accidents. Also concerns around exposure to wildlife (ticks and rattlesnakes)
- One of our PG&E members described to the committee several driving incidents and attempted robberies of trucks.
At its June 11 meeting, the Committee reviewed reports of incidents and injuries including:
- There have been several recent fuel filter failures involving 2017-2024 Ford SuperDuty F250 though F600 trucks equipped with the 6.7L diesel engines. The failures are occurring at the secondary fuel filter mounted on top of the driver-side valve cover, near the rear of the engine. One event resulted in total loss of the vehicle though no injury to the operator. Another was caught quickly enough that the vehicle could be saved. Immediate actions for these trucks include performing a visual pre use inspection and staying vigilant for abnormal conditions.
- The committee discussed final incident investigation report about from June of 2023 in which a Line Worker was being extracted by helicopter when their safety toe became lodge in the tower, minor injuries sustained.
- A three person crew installing a riser pole adjacent to energized 12 kv made contact with the line while stowing the auger of a digger derrick. No outage or Injury.
- A Utility operator was transporting a group of three inspectors for environmental work when, while backing their OHV on a steep hillside, the vehicle lost traction and rolled approximately 150-200 feet into a canyon. The Operator was successfully med-evac’ed within an hour with serious injuries. Two passengers were ejected from the vehicle and received injuries that were non-life-threatening. All occupants are expected to fully recover.
- An electric foreman was backing his Dodge 3500HD truck out of the work zone when they struck a pedestrian who was in the crosswalk. The pedestrian was seriously injured and received immediate emergency first aid from the crew before being transported to the hospital.
- A line worker was attempting to transition from a driveway onto a roadway with limited visibility when they were struck by a motorcycle at the driver side door. The motorcycle is reported to have come around a blind corner. The crew provided emergency first aid and activated EMS.
- An inspector attempted to manually disengage the transmission on a Dodge Ram 2500 that was out of fuel in order to clear a driveway. After initially being unsuccessful they stepped out of the vehicle to get a better look. They were then successful in disengaging the transmission but were unable to control the vehicle. The vehicle rolled about 300 feet before striking several objects and coming to rest on its passenger side.
- It was reported to the committee that members off work due to injuries sustained this year are expected to recover, although several of them will likely have lasting effects. We will keep them and their families in our thoughts.
–Jody Castro, IBEW 1245 Safety Director