During the investigation, OSHA determined that a gin pole system – a device that attaches to a communications tower to hoist loads – failed, causing the employees to fall. Investigators determined that the employer failed to ensure the capacity of the rigging attachments were adequate to support the forces imposed from hoisting loads. The Texas-based tower contractor was issued one serious citation for exposing employees to fall and struck-by hazards. The company faces $12,934 in proposed penalties, the maximum allowed under law. “This tragedy underscores the importance of having a qualified individual conduct an analysis before performing construction work on communication towers,” said Condell Eastmond, Fort Lauderdale OSHA Office Director Condell. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

Maslonka Powerline Services of JRD, LLC, an industry leading powerline contractor located in Spokane, WA, selects T&D PowerSkills Hybrid Package: Instructor-led and Learning Management System, to support their new lineworker apprenticeship training program. Maslonka performs all phases of transmission and distribution construction, building powerlines up to 500kv for major utilities nationwide.

Pearl River Community College, located in Pearl River, MS, and the Mississippi State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB), select T&D PowerSkills Learning Management System (LMS) to help train entry level lineworkers in the state of Mississippi through a statewide grant program. Chain Electric, MDR Construction, and B&B Electric were among the selected participants to take advantage of this new workforce development initiative.

Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, based in Little Rock, AR, selects T&D PowerSkills Learning Management System (LMS) to support their lineworker apprenticeship training program. The statewide association provides education and training to 17 electric distribution cooperatives in the state of Arkansas

City of Bentonville, AR, selects T&D PowerSkills lending library delivery model to support their new lineworker apprentice training program. Bentonville Electrical Utility Department serves the city in the design, construction, and maintenance of the overhead and underground electric lines.

South Florida State College, located in Avon Park, FL, selects T&D PowerSkills Instructor-led courses to support their Electric Line Service Repair and Electrical Apprenticeship programs. SFSC offers both of these programs to help students prepare for work as an electric line technician in the construction, maintenance and repair of electric utility overhead and underground systems.

JCR Construction Co, Inc., an electric utility entity of Quanta Services, selects T&D PowerSkills Digital Courseware Package to support their lineworker apprenticeship training program. JCR is a transmission and distribution utility contractor providing construction and maintenance to major power companies including: National Grid, NStar Electric, Public Service of New Hampshire and New Hampshire Electric Cooperative.

Chugach Electric Association, Inc., a cooperative utility located in Anchorage, AK, selects T&D PowerSkills Learning Management System (LMS) to help train their electrical engineers on the updated safety work practices and technical skills that lineworkers need to know in installing, maintaining, and removing transmission and distribution systems. Chugach services more than 68,000 members and nearly 84,000 metered locations.

Associated Diversified Services, LLC, a subsidiary of PowerTeam Services, LLC, selects T&D PowerSkills Instructor-led and digital courseware package to help support their lineworker apprenticeship training program. Diversified delivers high-quality electrical construction services including construction, maintenance and modification of Transmission and Distribution Lines, Substations, BPL Conversions, Storm Restoration Services and Street Lighting.

T&D Solutions, LLC, a subsidiary of PowerTeam Services, LLC, selects the T&D PowerSkills digital courseware package as an add-on to the Instructor-led delivery of their lineworker training program. T&D Solutions has been a T&D PowerSkills customer since 2007 and continues to utilize the T&D PowerSkills training materials to train their entry-level apprentices and journeyman lineworkers. T&D Solutions is a leading provider of construction and maintenance services for electric transmission and distribution lines throughout the Southwest, Central South, Midwest, and Eastern United States.

Fannin County Electric Cooperative, located in Bonham, TX, selects T&D PowerSkills Hybrid Package: Instructor-led and Learning Management System, to help support their lineworker apprenticeship training program. FCEC serves rural residents of Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Lamar and Collin counties in North Texas.

Plaska Transmission Line Construction, LLC, located in Amarillo, TX, selects T&D PowerSkills Instructor-led units to help support their lineworker training program. Plaska provides a full scope of construction and maintenance services for electrical transmission and distribution systems as well as emergency storm response.

T&D PowerSkills is pleased to announce the launch of its updated Cable Splicing 1 training unit. Cable Splicing 1  has been updated to comply with the latest OSHA regulations and Industry Best Practices. The updated training unit features new high definition video, graphics, 3D simulations, and modern equipment.

T&D PowerSkills is pleased to announce the launch of it's updated Cable Splicing 1 training unit. Cable Splicing 1  has been updated to comply with the latest OSHA regulations and Industry Best Practices. The updated training unit features new high definition video, graphics, 3D simulations, and modern equipment.

LineTec Services, LLC, an electric utility contractor based in Alexandria, LA, selects T&D PowerSkills Learning Management System (LMS) to help support their new lineworker apprenticeship training program. LineTec serves the entire Gulf Coast region and partners with electric utilities on distribution, transmission and storm restoration projects.

If you listen to the news, you’re probably aware, a total solar eclipse will take place on Monday, August 21st. People may not realize the dangers of trying to view the eclipse without proper eyewear. Adults and young ones may think that sunglasses guard against the intense UV and infrared radiation emitted during the eclipse and that is not the case. Read more about proper eyewear for viewing the eclipse in this article from our partners at Incident Prevention.

Current Utility Services, LLC, located in Scotland, TX, selects T&D PowerSkills Learning Management System (LMS) to help support their lineworker apprenticeship training program. CUS performs electric utility maintenance and construction work in Texas and Oklahoma.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will launch on Aug. 1, 2017, the Injury Tracking Application (ITA). The Web-based form allows employers to electronically submit required injury and illness data from their completed 2016 OSHA Form 300A.

OSHA has finalized the Minimum Approach Distances for Transmission Voltages (MAD), effective July 1, 2017. A Summary Document from ISPC is provided by Jim Vaughn to mitigate the 6 hours of reviewing the previous memorandums to try and figure this latest Memorandum out. The attachment has both the memorandum in its entirety followed by an ISPC Summary that you can use to advise your clients confidently. 

Brink's Constructors, Inc., a powerline entity of Quanta Services, selects T&D PowerSkills Instructor-led and digital courseware package to help support their lineworker apprenticeship program. Brink's provides specialized services in high voltage transmission, distribution, fiber optics, storm damage repair and substation construction.