Safety Updates

PG&E SIF – Final Communication
- Please review this attachment
Red Book Review
- 2.13 Testing Poles and Stubs
  - All poles shall be tested prior to climbing and the tests shall be made as follows:
    - (a) Make a close visual inspection and a hammer test for any physical defect, which might weaken it.
    - (b) Expose to at least 12 inches below ground on one side of the pole and inspect for defects as noted in (a) above. If set in pavement, test by boring as outlined in sub-paragraph (c) below, except start the drill hole as close to the pavement as possible.
      - NOTE: If it is evident that the pole is defective after either of steps (a) or (b), further testing is not necessary, and the pole shall be adequately supported before climbing.
    - (c) Poles: Bore a 9/16-inch hole at the center line of the pole at the bottom of the excavation at a 30 to 40- degree angle with the surface of the pole, to within about 2 inches of the opposite side, taking care not to break through. If the soundness of the pole is questionable after the first boring, bore a second hole at right angles to the first at ground level. If the soundness of the pole is questionable at this point, it shall be adequately supported before climbing. The drill holes shall be plugged with a 5/8-inch approved plug.
Contract Moment
- Article 4.6 – MINIMUM CALL OUT
  - When an employee is called out for unscheduled overtime work from his/her home, he or she shall be paid for four (4) hours at the applicable rate of pay. If the four (4) hours overlap into his or her regularly scheduled work shift, the straight time rate of pay for that shift shall begin at the end of the four-hour period and end at the regular quitting time.

Dec. 13, 2021

PG&E SIF – Final Communication
- Please review the attachment
Red Book Review
- Equal Potential Zone (Equipotential)
  - Temporary protective grounds and bonds shall be placed at such a location and arranged in such a manner that the person in charge can demonstrate that it will prevent each employee from being exposed to hazardous differences in electrical potential.
- Protective Grounding Equipment:
  - (1) Conductor(s) or equipment to be grounded shall be clearly identified and isolated from all sources of voltage.
  - (2) The installation of grounding devices and bonds shall be performed with live-line tools
  - (3) Protective grounding equipment shall be capable of conducting the maximum anticipated fault current
  - (4) Grounding devices shall have a minimum conductance of Number 2 AWG
  - (5) Protective grounds shall have an impedance low enough, so they do not delay the operation of protective devices in case of accidental energizing of the lines or equipment
  - (6) There shall be a minimum of one ground on the conductors or equipment being worked on:
    - a. Between the place where the work is being done and each possible source of supply,
    - b. at the work location or,
    - c. as close as practicable to the source of supply
    - Note: In all cases an Equipotential Zone must be established.
  - (7) One of the grounding devices shall be visible to at least one member of the crew unless one of the grounding devices is accessible only to authorized persons
    - a. Any exposed de-energized part of a line normally operated at a voltage in excess of 600 volts, phase to phase, shall not be worked on until the normally energized parts have been proven to be de-energized and all conductors of the circuit have been short-circuited and grounded against all possible sources of energy. Energized high-voltage lines, which cross over or under a deenergized line, shall be considered possible sources of energy.
    - b. Portable grounding devices shall be secured to permanently grounded objects at the location selected for grounding in the following order of preference:
      - i. Substation ground grid
      - ii. 4-Wire multi grounded primary neutral
      - iii. Grounded steel structure
      - iv. A temporary ground rod/screw ground installed to a minimum depth of 4 feet

Contract Moment
- Article 6.10 – Cable Crew (“Bull Gang”).
  - A cable crew may be used on de-energized circuits to install ducts and enclosures, lay cables, pull cables in ducts by hand, and other work involving underground cable systems, excluding cable splicing and terminations of cables above 300 Volts.
  - The Foreman of a cable crew shall be either a Journeyman Lineman or a Cable Splicer. The remainder of the crew is to be made up of Journeyman Lineman, Apprentice Lineman or Groundmen. The crew size is to be limited to ten (10) employees.
  - For work involving energized cable or enclosures over 300 Volts, the crew shall have at least two (2) Journeymen Linemen, Foreman included, or one (1) Journeyman Lineman (Foreman included) and one (1) Hot Apprentice, and the remainder may be Groundmen. When such work requires that employees be inside an energized enclosure above 300 Volts, those employees shall be Journeyman Linemen or Apprentices. For work involving energized cable or enclosures under 300 Volts, such work shall be performed by a Journeyman Lineman (Foreman included) or a Hot Apprentice.

Dec. 6, 2021

Red Book Review
- 6.12 Chipping Procedures when Energized Cables are Present
  - (a) When service load conditions or a lack of feasible alternatives require that the cable remain energized only a Journeyman Lineman or Cable Splicer or a Qualified persons under the observance of a Journeyman Lineman or Cable Splicer may slice through or chip duct work, concrete, asphalt, or similar material under the following conditions:
    - (1) The chipping or slicing is performed with the use of hand tools, such as hammer and cold chisel, with movements that could potentially penetrate the cable directed away from the cable or limited by use of tool guard to prevent contact with the cable, and non-conductive barrier is inserted (if practicable) to protect the cable from penetration once sufficient material has been broken to make that action possible, or
    - (2) Chipping or slicing performed with power tools using the following procedures: power tools are operated in a direction away from the energized cable unless tool guard are used to prevent contact with the cable; power tool are not used within 0.5 inch of an energized cable unless tool guards to prevent contact with energized cable are used; and a non-conductive protective barrier is inserted (if practicable) to protect the cable from penetration once sufficient material has been broken to make the action possible.
Contract Moment
- Article 4.4 – Show-Up Pay
  - (b) If employees work on the job for more than two (2) hours, but less than four (4) hours, they shall be paid for four (4) hours. If employees work on the job for more than four (4) hours, but less than six (6) hours, they shall be paid for six (6) hours. If employees work on the job for more than six (6) hours, but less than eight (8) hours, they shall be paid for eight (8) hours. If employees work on the job (four-tens) for more than eight (8) hours but less than ten (10), they shall be paid for ten (10) hours. If employees work on the job for eight (8) or more hours (ten (10) hours when working four-tens), they shall be paid for actual time worked. If the employee is terminated for cause or the employee quits, the employee shall be paid for the time worked only.

Nov. 29, 2021

“4 Seconds to Safety”
- Stay alert over the coming days. The days prior and after a holiday break, share a significant trend with an increase in accidents.
- Take a moment to ask ourselves, and each other, before starting a task:
  - Am I putting myself or others at risk?
  - Am I prepared to continue to work safely?
  - Am I focused on what needs to get done?
  - Am I ready to act to do it safely?
Red Book Review
- 7.01 General
  - (a) Each employee in an excavation shall be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system, either sloped or shielded, except when.
    - (1) Excavations are made entirely in stable rock. Or
    - (2) Excavations are less than 5 feet in depth and examination of the ground by competent person provides no indication of a potential cave-in.
    - Note: Some excavations 5 feet or less may require shoring, sloping, or other methods of employee protection.
  - (b) Protective systems shall have the capacity to resist without failure all loads that are intended or could reasonably be expected to be applied or transmitted to the system.
Contract Moment
- Article 6.11 HIGH TIME – BONUSES
  - Any tension dead-ending of 220KV or higher voltage required to be done in the air on steel towers at any height, shall require a bonus equal to the worker s straight-time rate. This bonus shall not apply to hanging the dead-end on the towers after it has been made up on the ground.
  - This bonus pay shall be at a minimum of two (2) hours and for each succeeding hour or portion thereof, shall be paid at the bonus rate. Soft dead-ends made without supporting the ladder from the conductor shall not be at the bonus pay.*1
  - All workers required to work on any type of pole (lattice poles excepted) at the 75-foot level or higher shall receive a bonus equal to the workman s straight-time rate. This height will be measured from the ground level to the point of attachment to the structure of the material, or equipment, being worked on.
  - Any work performed from an aerial basket suspended from a headache ball or hook shall also require a bonus equal to the worker s straight-time rate.

Nov. 17, 2021

IBEW 1245 Video: Our Safety Code
- https://ibew1245.com/2021/10/23/new-video-our-safety-code/
Red Book Review
- 2.17 Wire Stringing
  - (a) When stringing or taking down wires, the number of persons actually handling the wire at any one time shall be held to a minimum. Running lines, hold down lines, and tag lines shall be used and left attached until the wires are in place and properly secured.
  - (b) When stringing or taking down wire, the equipment pulling the wires shall be adequately barricaded. Other precautionary measures, such as flagmen and cradles shall be used as required.
  - (c) When stringing or taking down wires on poles or towers on which there are energized lines, precautions shall be taken to create an equipotential zone, insulate, or isolate the employees from the wire or wire stringing equipment. In addition to the above requirements, bare wires (except bare neutrals in multiconductor cables) shall be pulled over grounded rollers at the first pole or second pole from the payout and take-up equipment. The metal frame of the wire stringing equipment shall be bonded to the traveling ground. When stringing parallel to lines energized in excess of 35kV the conductor being installed or removed shall be pulled over grounded rollers at the first structure adjacent to both the tensioning and pulling set-up.
  - (d) When stringing or taking down wires crossing over energized lines, suitable protection or guards shall be installed at the point of crossing as necessary.
  - (e) Reliable communications shall be maintained at all times while stringing wire. If communication is lost between the puller and the tensioner operators, the puller operator shall bring the pull to a gradual stop, and shall not start the pull until communications are restored.
Contract Moment
- Article 4.13 Eight-Hour Rest Period
  - When workers are required to work six (6) hours or more overtime outside of normal work shifts they shall be relieved for a rest period of eight (8) or more continuous hours, or they shall be compensated at the appropriate overtime rate of pay for all hours worked until released from work for eight (8) or more continuous hours. The Employer has the right to move the start of the workday back, so employees can have the eight (8) hour rest period.

Nov. 9, 2021

PG&E SIF – Final Communication
- Please review the attached SIF Final Comm.
Red Book Review
- 2.03 Energized Low-Voltage Conductors or Apparatus
  - No employee shall touch any exposed conductor or apparatus energized at less than 250 volts, phase to ground, unless suitable personal protective equipment such as approved rated insulated gloves or tools are used. For voltages of 250 volts to 600 volts the use of approved rated insulated gloves is mandatory. Leather gloves are not considered an approved insulating device.
Contract Moment
- Article 5.4 Transfer of Employees
  - At least three (3) regular work days notice shall be given to the Union and the employees before workers are transferred from one reporting headquarters to another reporting headquarters. Upon failure to give three (3) days notice, as stated above, the Employer shall pay one (1) additional day s subsistence for each day notice is not given, as defined in paragraph 5.2 to the existing shop headquarters. Where such penalty is applicable, it shall be based upon the headquarters from which the employee is being transferred.

Oct. 19, 2021

Red Book Review
- 2.21 Rubber Gloving Up to 21kV, (b), (1)
  - xiii. If inclement weather develops after work has begun and the job must be completed, the live line tool method shall be used, or the circuit shall be de-energized.
Contract Moment
- Article 4.4 Show-Up Pay
  - (a) Any employee reporting for work on a scheduled work day, and does not start work for any reason beyond his/her control, and not having been notified prior to two (2) hours before starting time, shall be paid for two (2) hours at the applicable rate of pay (plus the applicable subsistence expense as set forth in Article V). Employees may be required to perform duties, including safety meetings, at headquarters during these two (2) hours. However, if an employee chooses to suspend work after having started work, due to inclement weather, the employee shall be paid for time worked only.

Oct 12, 2021

Cal-Nev JATC Incident Notes
- Review attached September report
PG&E SIF – Final Communication
- See attached Safety Flash from PG&E
Red Book Review
- 6.11 Hazardous Atmospheres
  - (a) Testing and Controls
    - (1) No employees shall be permitted to enter or remain within any excavation of 4’ or greater unless the atmosphere has been tested and determined to be safe for entry and remains safe. The excavation shall be tested with an approved tester prior to entering, and with sufficient frequency to ensure that the development of dangerous air contamination, oxygen enrichment and/or oxygen deficiency does not occur during the performance of any operation. The employee shall determine that the instrument is calibrated and in proper working order. A written record of such testing results shall be made and kept at the worksite for the duration of the work.
    - (2) If it is not feasible to ensure the removal of dangerous air contamination, oxygen enrichment and/or oxygen deficiency, this condition is likely a “Permit Required Confined Space”. In such cases employees shall not enter this space and shall contact the company Safety Personnel or other qualified persons designated by the company for assistance.
  - (b) Emergency Rescue Equipment
    - (1) Rescue Equipment: Employer shall provide equipment to ensure the prompt and safe rescue of employees from excavations.
    - (2) Employees entering bell-bottom pier holes, or other similar deep and confined footing excavations, shall wear a harness with a lifeline securely attached to it. The lifeline shall be separate from any line used to handle materials and shall be individually attended at all times while the employee wearing the lifeline is in the excavation.
Contract Moment
- Article 5.3 Headquarters
  - (a) Headquarters, where employees report, shall have available toilet, parking area, facilities for safe-guarding workmen s tools and facilities for drying workers clothes in inclement weather. There shall also be available adequate communication for emergency use and a parking area that is fenced gated and locked during working hours.

Sept 28, 2021

PG&E Safety Flash
- Please review the attached document regarding a Motor Vehicle Incident
Red Book Review
- 6.11 Hazardous Atmospheres
  - (a) Testing and Controls
    - (1) No employees shall be permitted to enter or remain within any excavation of 4’ or greater unless the atmosphere has been tested and determined to be safe for entry and remains safe. The excavation shall be tested with an approved tester prior to entering, and with sufficient frequency to ensure that the development of dangerous air contamination, oxygen enrichment and/or oxygen deficiency does not occur during the performance of any operation. The employee shall determine that the instrument is calibrated and in proper working order. A written record of such testing results shall be made and kept at the worksite for the duration of the work.
    - (2) If it is not feasible to ensure the removal of dangerous air contamination, oxygen enrichment and/or oxygen deficiency, this condition is likely a “Permit Required Confined Space”. In such cases employees shall not enter this space and shall contact the company Safety Personnel or other qualified persons designated by the company for assistance.
  - (b) Emergency Rescue Equipment
    - (1) Rescue Equipment: Employer shall provide equipment to ensure the prompt and safe rescue of employees from excavations.
    - (2) Employees entering bell-bottom pier holes, or other similar deep and confined footing excavations, shall wear a harness with a lifeline securely attached to it. The lifeline shall be separate from any line used to handle materials and shall
Contract Moment
- See attached addendum to OSL contract. This clarifies break times after the initial 8 hours.

Sept 21, 2021

PG&E Safety Flash
- Please review the attached document regarding a Motor Vehicle Incident
PG&E SIF – Final Communication

o Please review the FLISR attachment

Red Book Review
- 2.07 De-Energizing, Grounding, and Bonding Lines and Equipment for Employee Protection
  - (7) One of the grounding devices shall be visible to at least one member of the crew unless one of the grounding devices is accessible only to authorized persons
    - a. Any exposed de-energized part of a line normally operated at a voltage in excess of 600 volts, phase to phase, shall not be worked on until the normally energized parts have been proven to be de-energized and all conductors of the circuit have been short-circuited and grounded against all possible sources of energy. Energized high-voltage lines, which cross over or under a deenergized line, shall be considered possible sources of energy.
    - b. Portable grounding devices shall be secured to permanently grounded objects at the location selected for grounding in the following order of preference:
      - i. Substation ground grid
      - ii. 4-Wire multi grounded primary neutral
      - iii. Grounded steel structure
      - iv. A temporary ground rod/screw ground installed to a minimum depth of 4 feet
Contract Moment
- Article 4.4 Show-Up Pay
  - The Employer shall issue termination slips to all employees at the time of termination, such slip to show name of employee, classification in which employed, date of hire, date of termination, and reason for termination. A copy of all termination slips issued shall be mailed to the Union within forty-eight (48) hours following the time of termination.

Sept 13, 2021

Cal-Nev JATC Incident Notes
- Review attached August report
Rock Drill SIF – Final Communication
- See attached Safety Flash from PG&E
Red Book Review
- Section 2.12 Hand Lines
  - An approved hand line shall be placed on every structure or aerial work platform where line work is being performed on energized primary conductors or apparatus.
Contract Moment
- Article 2.15
  - An applicant who is hired and who receives, through no fault of his own (see below), work of forty hours or less shall, upon re-registration, be restored to his appropriate place within his Group.
    - I.E., Turn-around / Article 2.5, Lay-Off, Job Cancellation

Sept 7, 2021

PG&E 5-Minute Meeting
- See attached 5MM from PG&E
- This highlights new changes for working in R4 and above conditions
Red Book Review
- Section 2.03 Energized Low-Voltage Conductors or Apparatus
  - No employee shall touch any exposed conductor or apparatus energized at less than 250 volts, phase to ground, unless suitable personal protective equipment such as approved rated insulated gloves or tools are used. For voltages of 250 volts to 600 volts the use of approved rated insulated gloves is mandatory. Leather gloves are not considered an approved insulating device.
Contract Moment
- 3.11 STEWARD CLAUSE
  - The Business Manager of the Union shall have the right to appoint a Steward at any shop or job or on any crew where workers are employed under the terms of this Agreement. The Employer shall not make transfer of any Steward from the shop or job or crew to which he was appointed to another shop or job or crew without first having notified the Business Manager of the Union of his/her desire to make such transfer and having secured Union’s approval of the transfer proposed. Such Steward shall see that this Agreement and Working and Safety Rules are observed, and he shall be allowed sufficient time and be furnished necessary transportation to perform these duties during regular working hours. Under no circumstances shall the Employer dismiss, or otherwise discriminate against, an employee for making a complaint or giving evidence with respect to an alleged violation of any provision of the Agreement.
  - The Steward shall be included in all overtime at his/her headquarters whenever feasible.
  - The Business Manager shall remove from his/her duties any Steward at any time he considers the best interest of the Local Union will be served thereby and shall notify the Employer immediately of such removal.
  - Among the duties of the Steward are to:
    - 1) See that all workers at the respective shop or job have valid referral slips or other evidence of referral.
    - 2) Assist in seeing that the working conditions of this Agreement are adhered to by both the Employer and the employee.
    - 3) He shall immediately report to the Business Manager, or his/her representative, any violation of this Agreement that cannot be settled on the job.
  - The Steward shall be advised as soon as possible of any change of status of any member of the crew.
  - The Steward, when appointed in accordance with the foregoing provisions, shall remain on the job until such time as the job is completed.

Aug. 30, 2021

AQI Questions
- (2) If the AQI for particulate matter is 150 or higher, employees must be provided respirators such as N95 masks for voluntary use.
- If it doesn’t look or feel right, speak up!
Wildfires
- If you are aware of any member who has lost a home or apartment from the recent wildfires, please reach out to any of the CC’d individuals for assistance.
Red Book Review
- Section 2.06 Pole-Mounted Apparatus
  - (a) All cutouts and disconnects shall be operated with a fuse or switch stick or approved telescoping live-line tool. When using these tools in conjunction with a load break tool the use of a telescoping device extended in excess of 15’ is prohibited.
  - (b) Contact with energized transformer, capacitor, regulator or oil switch cases, bond wires, hardware supporting primary voltage insulation and other apparatus shall be avoided except when tested and grounded or worked upon with approved devices.
  - (c) Overhead Terminations of underground cables (Potheads) shall not be transferred while energized.
Contract Moment
- 3.9 Workers employed under the terms of this Agreement shall use reasonable care in the installation of material and shall perform all work in a workman-like manner and as directed by the Employer or his/her Representative, as provided in 6.2 and in the safe keeping and preservation in good condition of the Employer s tools or equipment issued to them, provided the Employer furnishes the necessary lockers, tool boxes, or other safe places for the storage of them.

Aug. 18, 2021

Skid Steer Rollover
- Review attached incident report
Red Book Review
- (c) When setting or removing poles between or near exposed energized conductors where danger of contact with conductors or equipment may exist:
  - (1)
    - i. Ground wires, guy wires or metallic hardware running the length of the pole shall not be attached to the pole.
    - ii. The conductors shall be spread to minimize accidental contact or covered with approved protective devices or the pole shall be covered with an approved guard or the conductors shall be de-energized.
  - (2) All personnel who may handle the butt of the pole shall wear approved rubber gloves and sleeves rated for the nominal voltage of the line whether or not cant hooks or slings are used.
Contract Moment
- Minimum Call Out
  - 4.6 When an employee is called out for unscheduled overtime work from his/her home, he or she shall be paid for four (4) hours at the applicable rate of pay. If the four (4) hours overlap into his or her regularly scheduled work shift, the straight time rate of pay for that shift shall begin at the end of the four-hour period and end at the regular quitting time.

If anyone is going to be assisting with PSPS or fire restoration, please be mindful of your surroundings and look out for each other. NO SHORTCUTS!

Aug. 9, 2021

Cal-Nev JATC Incident Notes
- Review attached July report
Red Book Review
- With wildfires happening all over our system, it is a good time to see what precautions should be taken with AQI Ratings
- 1.17 Protection from Dusts, Fumes, Vapors or Gases, and Wildfire Smoke
  - (b) When work is performed in areas where it can reasonably be anticipated that employees will be exposed to wildfire smoke, the supervisor in charge of the job shall:
    - (1) Determine whether there are harmful levels of air borne particulate matter in the area by checking the Air Quality Index (AQI) prior to the start of work and periodically during the job. (AQI levels can be determined by checking the U.S. EPA AirNow website)
    - (2) If the AQI for particulate matter is 150 or higher, employees must be provided respirators such as N95 masks for voluntary use.
Contract Moment
- 4.4 SHOW-UP PAY
  - (b) If employees work on the job for more than two (2) hours, but less than four (4) hours, they shall be paid for four (4) hours. If employees work on the job for more than four (4) hours, but less than six (6) hours, they shall be paid for six (6) hours. If employees work on the job for more than six (6) hours, but less than eight (8) hours, they shall be paid for eight (8) hours. If employees work on the job (four-tens) for more than eight (8) hours but less than ten (10), they shall be paid for ten (10) hours. If employees work on the job for eight (8) or more hours (ten (10) hours when working four-tens), they shall be paid for actual time worked. If the employee is terminated for cause or the employee quits, the employee shall be paid for the time worked only.

July 27, 2021

PG&E Safety Call Notes
- See attached.
Cal-Nev JATC Incident Notes
- Review attached June report
Red Book Review
- Rubber Goods Dates
  - (3) The dielectric testing of insulating equipment shall be performed following “ASTM standards on electrical equipment for workers”.
    - i. Gloves and sleeves shall be marked with the test date.
    - ii. Gloves and sleeves will be changed out on a 90-day cycle from the date they are issued.
    - iii. Blankets will be changed out on a 180-day cycle from the date they are issued.
    - iv. The shelf life of these items shall not exceed 6 months from the last test date. Rubber goods may be issued up to 6 months after the test date, the change-out cycle begins after issue.
    - v. Any items the employee feels need to be changed out will be done without question, even if it’s before the due date.
    - vi. Rubber Gloves and sleeves that have been issued once will not be re-issued to another employee until they have been re-tested.
Contract Moment
- (a) Headquarters, where employees report, shall have available toilet, parking area, facilities for safe-guarding workmen’s tools and facilities for drying workers clothes in inclement weather.

There shall also be available adequate communication for emergency use and a parking area that is fenced gated and locked during working hours.

July 19, 2021

PG&E Safety Call Notes
- See attached.
Red Book Review
- Smoking
  - With the recent fires that we have seen around the state, please be mindful of the following:
(a) Employees shall not smoke in proximity to flammable liquids, explosives or gases, or where “No Smoking” signs are displayed.
(b) Matches, cigars, cigarettes, tobacco or other substances must not be discarded while still burning except when placed in a proper receptacle or otherwise disposed of safely.

(c) All matches or other sources of ignition shall be removed from the person of any employee before entering an explosive or combustible area.

(d) Smoking shall not be permitted in areas indicated as danger zones or areas closed by federal, state, county or city officers.

(e) Smoking shall not be permitted in fire areas and/or during Red Flag conditions except in designated smoking areas or in a 10’ clearing which is void of all grasses and vegetation.

Contract Moment
- Pay Days and Penalties
  - Procedure for layoff. This has been an issue of recent.
    - Workers who are to be laid off shall be notified of such layoff one (1) hour in advance of regular quitting time and be paid in full. They shall be given sufficient time before the termination of the work day to pick up their personal tools.
  - Procedure for voluntary quit.
    - Whenever practical, a worker who quits a job shall be paid by 4:30 p.m. by payroll check before leaving the job, provided he gives his/her Foreman notice of his/her intention to leave the job by 1:00 p.m., two (2) days before he leaves the job. However, in the event the amount of money on the final check is greater than the amount due at the time of termination, or in the event that the worker does not give advance notice as described above, the worker s final pay will be mailed within seventy-two (72) hours after he quits (Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays excepted). In the event he does not receive his/her final check by the end of the seventy-two (72) hour period, he shall receive eight (8) hours straight-time pay for each twenty-four (24) hour period or portion thereof until he receives it. Postmark of mail to employees last known address shall constitute compliance.

June 28, 2021

Vehicle Incidents
- Vehicle incidents continue to be our most common issue in the field
- Walk around your vehicle. Use a spotter. Slow down. Stay focused on the task at hand. If you are unfamiliar with a particular driving task, ask the question or have someone else perform the task.
Cal-Nev JATC Incident Notes
- Review attached May report
Contract Moment
- HOLIDAYS AND OVERTIME
  - 4.10 All work performed outside of the regular scheduled working hours and on Saturdays, Sundays, and the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day (California only), Presidents Day (Nevada only), Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day (California only), Nevada Day (Nevada only), Thanksgiving Day and the Friday following, and Christmas Day, shall be paid for at double the regular straight- time rate of pay.
  - Holidays (except for Veteran’s Day) falling on Saturdays and Sundays do not require the Employers to observe those holidays on a Friday or on Monday and the employees will not receive premium time compensation on those Fridays or Mondays.

June 21, 2021

Vehicle Fatality
- Unfortunately, we must report another fatal accident that occurred June 15^th, 2021, taking the life of one of the many linemen who travel to our jurisdiction to work.
- Journeyman Lineman John Ostroski from IBEW Local Union 222 in Florida was killed in a vehicle accident. Preliminary reports indicate that the transmission right-of-way road he was driving on collapsed out from under his pickup truck, causing it to roll into a ravine. Brother Ostroski, age 49 at the time of his death, was working for Source Power as an inspector, performing facility inspection work on PG&E property in the Morgan Hill area.
- “Our entire IBEW family is devastated at the loss of yet another traveling lineman in our jurisdiction,” said IBEW 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean. “Please hold Brother Ostroski’s wife and family, as well as his union siblings at Local 222, in your thoughts as they go through this difficult time.”
Groundman – Contract Language
- Groundman shall work under the direct supervision of linemen at all times and shall assist linemen as directed in the performance of their work which includes the operation of jack- hammers, man-hauls, commercial vehicles at or more than 26,001 lbs. and the loading and unloading of materials and equipment, but under no circumstances shall a groundman climb poles, towers or structures, or work in the proximity of energized lines or equipment.
- Groundman may operate pick-up trucks and light flatbed trucks.
- Groundman may operate trucks used to service trucks and equipment on transmission lines.
- Groundman may drive bucket trucks, line trucks, and light trucks on the job. Groundman may be required to place water and ice in water can.
- Groundman shall furnish themselves with the following tools: hammer, pliers, ruler, 10″ adjustable wrench and skinning knife.
- Groundman may use hand-mechanized tools to assist tower and pole assembly.
- Please ensure that your teams are adhering to the above requirements.
PG&E Safety Flash
- Please review the attached document regarding makeshift anchors
- If any of these are found, please reach out to any of the CC’d individuals with more details
PG&E Safety Call Notes
- Please review with your team.

Jun 7, 2021

Fatality Update
- Please visit the link to see updates
  - https://ibew1245.com/2021/05/29/traveling-groundman-dies-in-mini-excavator-accident/
- Also, if anyone is looking for a way to donate beyond a traditional Pass the Hat, there is a GoFundMe page that has been started (within link above)
- If you have Passed the Hat at your yard and need to get the money to the hall, please reach out to one of us.
Contract Pay Increases
- Pay increases became effective 6/1/21 (last Tuesday)
- Please ensure that everyone is looped in on that for upcoming pay stubs
Contracts and Red Books
- If you need any contracts or Red Books, please reach out to deliver some to you
Union Meeting @ Hall
- We continue to hold the General Membership meeting at the Hall
- This meeting is held on the first Tuesday of the month at 1900 hrs. (7 pm)
- If you would like to be added to a calendar invite, let me know and I will send your way
- Please encourage your brothers / sisters in the field to come join
PG&E Safety Call Notes
- See attached summary document to review

June 1, 2021

Traveling Groundman Dies in Mini Excavator Accident
- It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of IBEW member Jonathan Cabrera, who died in a mini excavator accident near Eureka, CA while working for Rokstad Power on May 28th. Brother Cabrera was a traveling groundman out of IBEW 47, and he was just 25 years old at the time of his passing.
- “Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Brother Cabrera, including his union family at Local 47,” said Business Manager Bob Dean. “He was a young man with his whole life and career ahead of him, and he left this world far too soon. As we mourn this heart-breaking loss, we must also commit, in Jonathan’s memory, to renew our dedication to workplace safety. Please, look out for yourselves, and one another.”
- Please visit the link to see updates as they become available: https://ibew1245.com/2021/05/29/traveling-groundman-dies-in-mini-excavator-accident/
With temperatures heating up this week, please look out for each other and signs of heat related illness
- Please review the attached heat illness poster

May 25, 2021

Another driving accident.
- A contractor employee (Groundman) was driving a Digger Derrick with material trailer in route to a job when he fell asleep at the wheel. When the driver felt the truck veer off the road, he overcorrected which caused the truck to slide off the right-hand side of the road. As a result, the truck and trailer overturned onto its side. The General Foreman transported their employee to Clovis Community Hospital for further evaluation.
Liberty Utility – Dock Hand Memorandum
- Effective immediately, all rubber gloving in two-person buckets shall be performed by either two Liberty employees or two contract employees. This work practice is to mitigate the different rubber gloving rules that apply to Liberty and the Outside. Below are some additional acceptable work practices that Liberty and contractors may utilize.
  - Rubbering Gloving while in separate buckets
  - Hot sticking from a two-person bucket

May 17, 2021

Underground Structures – Safe Work Practices
- A ladder shall always be used in entering or leaving a manhole or vault
  - Please see Red Book, Section 5.03, (a), page 50 for clarification
- Air monitor testing requirements
  - Please see Red Book, Section 5.03, (b), page 50 for clarification
- Inspection of underground facilities (HEAT SCAN is REQUIRED)
  - Please see Red Book, Section 5.03, (d), page 50-51 for clarification
- Rescue equipment shall be provided
  - Please see Red Book, Section 5.03, (e), page 51 for clarification

May 10, 2021

Grounding
- Equipotential Zone (EPZ) grounding is required at all locations to be worked as grounded
  - Please see Red Book, Section 2.07, Equal Potential Zone, (6), Note, page 27 for clarification
- Anchor rod is NOT acceptable as a source for grounding
  - Please see Red Book, Section 2.07, Equal Potential Zone, (7), (b) page 27 for clarification
Picking / Dropping Load
- Any work that could produce an arc will require the use of live-line tools i.e., opening switches, installing / removing jumpers under load, grounding, etc.
  - Please see Red Book, Section 2.21, (b), (1), xiv page 41 for clarification

May 4, 2021

Boom contacts have been a trend that we have faced over the last 4 months. In addition, proper barricading and equipment testing are critical steps to ensure our Brothers and Sisters are protected. We need to focus back on the basics of what we do.

For those of you on overhead projects: please remind the foremen that when work is performed on 600 volts or more, they are the dedicated observer. No phone calls. No paperwork. Nothing but observing. If for some reason, they need to make a phone call or tailboard somebody new to the site, have them direct the guys OUT of the overhead work area. Please see Red Book, Section 2.02, page 30 (last paragraph of section) for clarification.
For those of you on overhead projects: please ensure that during rubber glove operations, crews are barricading equipment appropriately. Please see Red Book, Section 2.21, (b), (2), ii.
For those on all projects: please ensure that there is a designated spotter if any crane, hoist, or derrick is within the minimum clearance distance established by Cal-OSHA. Please see Red Book, Section 1.36, Table A, page 17 (include the 2 notes below table), and Section 2.05, (a) thru (c).
- Also, employees are clear of equipment if used near overhead lines. Please see Red Book, Section 1.36, (b).
For those on all projects: please ensure that if you are performing any work with rubber gloves (and sleeves when applicable), that we are testing them correctly. Please see Red Book, Section 2.21, (a), (5).

May 15, 2023

April 6, 2023

March 13, 2023

March 6, 2023

Feb. 27, 2023

July 18, 2022

June 6, 2022

May 23, 2022

May 16, 2022

May 9, 2022

March 21, 2022

March 7, 2022

Feb. 21, 2022

Feb. 13, 2022

Jan. 31, 2022

Jan. 24, 2022