A Quick Guide to Utility Worker Safety

In the utilities industry, safety should always be the number one focus for utility leaders. It's about saving lives, ensuring reliable services, and being prepared. Utility workers face various hazards, including electrical dangers, working at heights, and operating in isolated and remote locations.

This guide aims to tackle these issues directly, providing practical advice to improve safety measures, lower risks, and make sure utility workers are safe. Our approach emphasizes real-time monitoring, clear communication, and quick responses to create a safer workplace for everyone.

Why safety is important in the utility industry

Safety is fundamental for protecting workers, keeping operations running smoothly, and ensuring community safety. The work in this sector is inherently risky, with workers often facing high voltage electricity, hazardous materials, and severe weather. The significance of safety here is clear, affecting employee well-being, service reliability, and infrastructure stability.

The utility sector has the sixth-highest death rate, according to the National Safety Council. These numbers highlight the dangers of neglecting safety and the need for strict adherence to safety protocols.

By implementing strong safety measures and promoting a safety-first culture, companies can lower accident rates, reduce downtime, and improve operational efficiency. This approach also shows a commitment to employee health, which can boost morale and increase productivity. Essentially, focusing on utility worker safety means building a work environment where safety is integral to all operations, ensuring everyone is prepared to work safely and efficiently.

What are the top safety hazards for utility workers?

Slips, trips, and falls

Slips, trips, and falls rank as the second most fatal work injuries by major event or exposure, posing a significant threat to the safety of utility workers. These preventable incidents underline the need for strict safety measures and constant attention across all work areas. Workers often face these serious injury risks while working on uneven ground, climbing ladders, or moving through crowded spaces, making it clear that risk assessments and safety precautions are essential.

Impact injuries

Impact injuries pose a serious risk to utility workers, leading to severe injuries or even death if the work site is not managed correctly. These injuries can happen from falling objects, being hit by moving equipment, or accidents with heavy machinery. The varied and often unpredictable work settings of utility workers increase their risk.

Harmful substances

Handling harmful substances is a major safety challenge for utility workers, highlighting the need for strict safety protocols. Workers often face risks from chemical spills or from prolonged exposure to dangerous materials like asbestos and lead, which can lead to serious health issues over time.

Road accidents

Road accidents pose a significant risk to utility workers, particularly for those driving or operating close to traffic. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, transportation incidents are the leading cause of occupational injuries. This risk highlights the urgent need for effective safety measures to keep workers safe on the roads, whether they're responding to emergencies, performing maintenance, or working on infrastructure projects.

Electrocution 

Electrocution is a major hazard for utility workers, emphasizing the need for strict safety measures and ongoing education. Utility workers often work closely with electrical infrastructure, putting them at high risk of electrocution. This situation highlights the importance of safety practices that protect workers and ensure the electrical systems' safety and reliability.

Heavy-lifting injuries

Heavy-lifting injuries are a major issue in the utility industry. The job's physical demands, including lifting and moving heavy items, can cause musculoskeletal problems, strains, and sprains without proper training in lifting techniques and safety measures. It's vital to address this risk to keep the workforce healthy and avoid long-term injuries.

Utility worker safety regulations

Safety regulations, especially those set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), are important for protecting workers from various daily hazards. These are compulsory standards that utility companies must follow to keep their employees safe and healthy. 

OSHA's rules cover many occupational safety areas, and so employers are required to assess hazards, offer necessary safety training, and make sure safety gear is available and used correctly.

For utility workers in often dangerous settings, following these rules is vital. OSHA's regulations also spell out how to safely handle and operate equipment, prepare for and respond to emergencies, and manage hazardous materials. By adhering to these guidelines, utility companies not only meet legal obligations but also show they value their employees' safety and health.

How to improve utility worker safety

Utility worker training

Improving safety for utility workers depends on thorough and continuous training. This training is crucial for giving workers the know-how to safely handle the dangers they face every day. The risks involved in electrical work are significant, with the potential for serious or even deadly accidents, making specialized training vital.

Effective training for utility workers should cover a wide range of subjects, such as electrical safety basics, identifying hazards, responding to emergencies, and correctly using personal protective equipment (PPE). Practical, hands-on training that mirrors actual job situations is also important, so workers can apply what they've learned directly to their work.

To keep safety knowledge up to date, training programs need regular revisions to include new safety protocols, technological updates, and insights from recent accidents. This ensures workers have access to the latest safety information and practices to avoid accidents and injuries.

Seeing that many utilities workers find themselves working alone it might be worth checking out our post on Why Lone Worker Training is Vital.

Create a lone worker safety policy

Developing a detailed lone worker safety policy is important for improving the safety of utility workers, particularly those working alone or in remote areas. This policy demonstrates a company's dedication to its employees' safety by providing clear rules and steps to address the risks lone workers encounter.

A strong lone worker safety policy needs to include:

• Purpose statement: How the proposed measures will protect lone workers and align with the organization's goals and core values.
• Identified lone worker roles: All employees who often work by themselves.
• Risk assessment: The dangers and risks unique to working alone.
• Roles and responsibilities: What is expected from both the employer and the lone workers in terms of their duties and responsibilities.
• Procedures and expectations: Explicit policies and procedures to mitigate the risks identified during the risk assessment.
• Training and education: Adequate training regarding the policies, procedures, and safety measures in place.

It's vital to regularly update the lone worker safety policy to incorporate new safety technology, changes in work practices, safety concerns, and worker feedback, ensuring the policy stays relevant and effective. After all, putting in place a lone worker safety policy is key to ensuring all employees receive the best possible protection and support.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

PPE is essential for protecting workers from various workplace hazards, including electrical dangers, chemical spills, and physical injuries. It's important to provide workers with the appropriate PPE for their jobs and the risks involved to reduce accidents and injuries.

For PPE to effectively improve safety, companies need to assess PPE needs regularly, ensure workers are trained on how to use it properly, and follow strict maintenance and replacement guidelines. This means understanding the hazards specific to each job site and supplying PPE that offers adequate protection.

Training workers on the correct use, adjustment, and maintenance of their PPE is crucial. They should know the limits of their protective clothing and gear and when it's time for a replacement. Regular training keeps everyone informed about the latest in PPE technology and safety practices.

Focusing on the right selection, usage, and upkeep of appropriate gear and PPE can lead to a safer workplace, lower the chance of injuries, and promote a culture where everyone takes responsibility for safety.

Lone worker safety technology

Improving safety for utility workers, particularly those who work alone, requires adopting advanced lone worker safety solutions. This technology is crucial for ensuring that lone workers are always connected to their teams and can get emergency help when needed. Using devices and systems that allow for real-time tracking, quick communication, and fast emergency response can greatly improve worker safety and security.

Key technologies for lone worker safety include GPS devices, wearable emergency alarms, and smartphone apps that enable routine check-ins and send instant emergency alerts. These tools prevent incidents by keeping workers connected at all times. They allow supervisors to monitor lone workers' safety and location, ensuring quick action if a worker doesn't check in or sends a distress signal.

Here at Aware360, we specialize in providing safety solutions that help ensure the well-being of your lone workers, ensuring they safely return to their families after work. We understand that the technology needed to protect lone workers varies significantly depending on the job sites, the specific job role and the distinct risks present in each industry. Thankfully, there's a wide range of advanced safety devices available that are designed to meet the diverse needs and financial plans of different sectors.

• Smart wearables: These devices can track vital signs, recognize falls, and enable users to send emergency alerts with just a single touch.
• One-touch SOS alarms: In critical situations where every second counts, a personal safety alarm can quickly signal for help.
• Lone worker apps: The right application can be incredibly valuable for a lone worker, providing features like two-way communication and check-in timers to enhance safety.
• Vehicle monitoring systems: For individuals who spend a lot of their workday driving, these systems provide numerous safety features, such as analyzing driving behavior and offering emergency response services.

Enhance utility worker safety with Aware360 solutions

Improving utility worker safety goes beyond traditional methods and requires new solutions that fit the complex nature of today's utility work. Aware360 offers a range of safety solutions that use real-time monitoring, communication, and response to keep workers safe. Our technology ensures workers are always connected and aware, whether they're fixing remote power lines, dealing with dangerous conditions, or working alone.

Aware360 recognizes the specific challenges utility workers face and provides customized solutions to help companies improve decision-making, streamline operations, and save lives. Our focus on innovative and high-quality safety technology makes us a strong partner for utility companies aiming to improve their safety practices and protect their employees.

Don't wait for an accident to update your safety approach. Contact us to see how our technology can change your safety measures and ensure your workers are protected, wherever their work takes them.