A key part of safety is learning from past accidents–whether they involve ourselves or others. The following recent accidents should be read with this in mind. The more we learn, the safer we are. Fall In early November, a PG&E T&R Gas Mechanic fell approximately 12 feet into a regulator pit station.  Emergency Services were… [Read More]

Peer safety initiative for line clearance tree trimmers By Rich Lane On November 26 the Keep the Clearance (KTC) peer initiative completed a series of 16 informational meetings with Davey Tree employees. The focus of these meetings was to roll out the IBEW 1245 Close Call/Near Miss program developed jointly with Davey Tree. Davey Tree… [Read More]

Peer safety initiative for gas workers By Rich Lane Last year was a busy one for the Control the Pressure (CTP) peer safety committee. During 2013, committee members conducted 11 safety presentations at the Tracy Gas Academy, six unit meeting presentations, and three PG&E yard presentations in San Francisco, Fresno and the Yosemite Division. Committee… [Read More]

By Rich Lane The Hold the Pull (HTP) advisory committee met on Nov. 12 to discuss the 2014 meeting and presentation schedule and appointed a new member, Stephen “Spike” Roberts to represent SMUD. On Dec. 5, members of HTP gave a presentation to the SMUD line and service divisions. The purpose of the visit was… [Read More]

Peer to Peer Gas Safety Initiative By Rich Lane 2013 has been a busy year for the Control the Pressure committee, whose members conducted 11 safety presentations at the Tracy Gas Academy, six unit meeting visits, and will by the end of the year conduct three PG&E yard visits in San Francisco, Fresno and the… [Read More]

By Ralph Armstrong Concerns were recently expressed regarding a specific procedure used when towers are being raised by the PG&E tower department. What is involved here is when a double circuit tower is being raised past practice is to de-energized one circuit while keeping the second circuit energized. As a safety precaution the procedure requires… [Read More]

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IBEW / NECA Safety Committee Meeting In September the 3rd quarter IBEW / NECA Safety meeting was held in Vacaville with several NECA contractors as well as representatives of Local 1245, Local 47 and the CALNEVJATC. Each group gave reports pertaining to incidents and accident within their organizations. The meeting started on a somber note… [Read More]

Arc Flash Accident / Injury Journey Lineman was attempting to install a glass meter cover on a 480V meter base that was energized. As he was trying to install the metal ring, the cover slipped and the ring went into the hub making contact with the energized meter lugs causing a flash which resulted in… [Read More]

By Ralph Armstrong Work continues with both the PG&E Barehand Oversight and Barehand Committees. Some of the big issues that have become priorities that both the union and the company are working together to resolve are: Barehand/Helicopter use: There has been an issue obtaining a current approval letter for the use of helicopters as part… [Read More]