I've been in the business for twenty three years and have not heard of a rule that applies. If there is such, please refer it to me so I can take care of our policy, to insure we comply.
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I've been in the business for twenty three years and have not heard of a rule that applies. If there is such, please refer it to me so I can take care of our policy, to insure we comply.
I recently heard some info about why the company I work for was fined. The company was fined by OSHA with their general duty clause that each employer shall furnish to each of his employee employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees. I don't have the actual documentation with me, but it was read to me that we are now required to patrol with 2 men in the truck, something about the driver having to pay 100% attention to the road. I'll quote the actual documentation when I get a hold of it, but this was OSHA's ruling.
com ed has given t-men timeoff for not looking at the road. They installed cameras that face toward the driver and forward out the windshield. Is it any wonder no one will take the job. They went to the bottom of the seniority sheet and got a couple of apps to take it.20 years ago you needed 25 years in the hooks before that job became available, go figure.
N. Grid told us T-men could patrol alone. On the next breath they said if we have to back up our pasenger has to get out and direct us! If you figure that out let me know!
Our company will allow one man patrols on the distribution. If you have to patrol the transmission, you have to have two people. This is foot patrols only.
We have not been denied help when requested. The boss may tell you that if you can't drive and patrol at the same time, then you need to park the truck and patrol on foot until someone else gets there to help with the driving or looking. This is because they don't want a man sitting around doing nothing waiting for someone to get in after being called out.(distribution only)
Alright, the company I work for was fined $1000 by OSHA. "Employees were required to patrol electric lines, driving vehicles with one hand on the wheel and one working a spot light with attention diverted between the electric line and keeping the truck on the road and out of the way of other traffic in weather and other conditions that require 100% attention to driving. One feasible and acceptable method of ....cating(the beginning of this word was missing on the copy) this hazard is to provide a second person in the vehicle to allow the driver to put his full attention on driving."
I recently read through most of what osha and the astm has as far as rules and regs to govern what we do. It is actually not near as strict or "stringent" as most guys would imagine. Alot of it is actually broad and written in generaliztions,and left up to the companies or individuals to interpret. There are the basics however that ARE carved in stone,such as wearing a harness while in the bucket. However your state - Dept of Transportations - or whatever you have there might also govern this,as it pertains to driving. If not,there are ways to get the company to adhere to what the line crews want to see done if in fact the men on the crews believe it is a SAFETY ISSUE. Bring it up in your next SAFETY MEETING as a concern and get the rest of the guys to address it as well. Also go to the UNION with this issue,and you all should let them know you feel the same way. It sounds like it could be a rightful concern. Also remember,you work in GARY,INDIANA. A good sized city. Busy streets and alot of traffic. SOME OF THESE GUYS WRITING BACK TO YOU MIGHT NOT EVEN WORK IN THE CITY. THEY MIGHT BE OL' COUNTRY COOP LINEMEN, (RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE) / OR SMALL TOWN PUNY MUNI LINEMEN,(SMALL TOWN CITY OWNED ELECTRIC MUNICIPAL) / OR EVEN FLY-BY-NIGHT MICKEY-MOUSE OUTFIT LINEMEN,(SMALL NON-UNION CONTRACTORS). So they might not know or comprehend what you speak of. They might not realize you might be TROUBLE-SHOOTING a circuit that has locked out at the sub,DRIVING DOWN A BUSY FREEWAY IN 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC. :rolleyes: I think in situations like that it would definately BEHOOVE you to have one man driving while the other dude is keeping "EYES ON" the circuit. Hope this helps. No matter what happens,STAY SAFE OUT THERE BROTHERS! :cool:
You can go to OSHA's web site and go to ask OSHA, send your question vea E-mail. There good about getting back with your answer.
This is the rule in Washington St.
WAC 296-45-385 Overhead lines.
This section provides additional requirements for work performed on or near overhead lines and equipment.
(16) While on patrol at night and operating a motor vehicle on public highways, there shall be two employees, at least one of whom shall be a journey level lineworker or otherwise qualified employee. If repair to line or equipment is found to be of such nature as to require two lineworkers, work shall not proceed until additional help has been obtained provided that in cases of emergency where delay would increase the danger to life, limb, or substantial property, one employee may clear the hazard without assistance.
Hey guys, I would rather patrol & drive alone, then have someone in the truck with me while I am patroling. Our company has no policy on patroling. But during major storms they get the damn project designers to patrol before the crews and those guys are about half retarded, hell two weekends ago we have a small storm and its midnite and here come two project designers, these guys are out patroling 2 in a pickup with no spot light, I didnt even see a flashlight!!! But back to the subject each troubleman has there own deal about it, we have guys that cant even hang a service drop with out another man and then you have us that like to be alone most of the time... I would rather do it alone and don't plan on changing anytime soon........:D