As you spec your next round of bucket trucks and digger derricks, what are some safety technologies that may not have been available for your previous orders but are now? UFP spoke with Altec’s (www.altec.com) Michael Newman, digger derrick market manager, and Ryan Hulleman, aerial device market manager, to get their advice. They recommended considering the following four safety tech options. But before we dive in, a quick disclaimer: Although Newman and Hulleman speak specifically about their company’s products, you can look for similar safety systems from other manufacturers. This a…

Aggressive driver behaviors. Improper use of equipment. Distracted driving. These are just a few issues that increase a utility fleet’s risk of preventable accidents that can lead to multimillion-dollar payouts and ignite a public relations firestorm. So, what can you do as a fleet manager to help protect drivers, the public and your company’s reputation? UFP recently spoke with defense attorney John O. Radeck Jr., a partner at Charleston, South Carolina-based Hood Law Firm (www.hoodlaw.com), for his legal perspective on how fleet managers can improve safety and reduce risk exposure f…

Along with controlling the wide range of equipment costs that come with running a fleet, plus the need to maximize vehicle utilization and drivers’ time behind the wheel, every fleet maintenance program should be geared toward improving safety – to reduce operating costs and, above all, to decrease the risk exposure for fleet drivers and the motoring public. Even a minor maintenance issue that is deferred or, worse, never noted on an inspection can snowball risk to your drivers and other motorists if left unresolved. Maintenance and safety clearly dovetail in the inspection and care give…

A “close call” in late 2020 set things in motion to address a slip-and-fall hazard shortly after New York City’s energy provider, Con Edison, replaced 10 steel trailers with aluminum trailers. “An employee was trying to secure a load on a very windy day. But the aluminum surface was wet and slick,” Richard Stewart, ConEd’s environmental, health and safety (EHS) manager, recalled. “When this incident was brought to our attention, we had to find a solution.” In many types of organizations, you’ll see a lot of finger-pointing, blame-shifting and throwing people under the proverbial bus w…

As utilities adopt electric vehicles for their fleets, they face a fundamental question: wired or wireless charging? The decision could have long-term effects on the success of EV adoption. Electric utilities will be consulting with their customers on the same question. While EV plug-in charging stations are familiar sights thanks to Tesla, wireless charging is less well known. But it’s getting ready for its time in the spotlight. Wireless charging simplifies EV operations. Just park over a charging pad and then drive on – no plugging or unplugging is required. Wireless or inductive c…

Inflation is impacting all areas of the utility fleet industry, with a profound impact on maintenance and operating expenses, according to Amanda Kazemba, senior consulting analyst, business intelligence and analytics, for Holman (www.holman.com). “Overall, the cost to repair a vehicle is up approximately 20% as compared to 2020, and fleet operators should expect to see an additional 5 to 10% in 2023 as well – and potentially beyond,” she said. Factor in the increased costs of raw materials, an ongoing labor shortage, repair facilities struggling with their own parts and labor shortag…

Most vehicles in a utility fleet have strobe lights to protect workers and the public from a collision with a stationary vehicle. But with numerous strobe options to consider, how do you evaluate what will work best for your fleet? UFP spoke with Nebraska Public Power District’s fleet superintendent, Rob Barbur, and fleet supervisor, TK Rayburn Jr., to get their advice. They shared these 10 points. 1. Configuration How do you determine the optimal configuration for installing strobe lights? It depends on the vehicle type. NPPD, for example, specs different strobe packages for pi…

The Dynamic tool brand has introduced a 28-piece insulated tool set to meet the growing needs of commercial and residential electricians, industrial maintenance professionals, mobile/field service technicians and electric vehicle mechanics. Each tool within the set has been tested to 10,000 AC and is VDE certified to 1,000 VAC in compliance with IEC 60900. Dynamic’s new insulated tool set includes a half-inch drive ratchet with a selection of extensions and six-point metric sockets. It also contains open-ended metric wrenches, slotted screwdrivers, Phillips screwdrivers, side-cutting pli…

The Felling Trailers’ Utility Cable Reel “R” series model lines have undergone design modifications to increase operator safety and ease of use. The most significant update to the model design is the auto-locking reel bar system, which eliminates the use of pins and brackets; it now utilizes a locking plate system. The R series product line offers payload capacities ranging from 1,740 pounds to 13,520 pounds. All models have the capability to load up to a 120-inch diameter reel. Enhancing operator and transport safety, the auto-locking reel bar system’s locking plates automatically open …

Upper Midwest Utility Fleet Council Fall 2022 Meeting October 17-19, 2022 in Red Wing, MN Kurt Moreland of UFP recently attended the UMUFC (Upper Midwest Utility Fleet Managers Conference) at the Treasure Island Conference Center outside of Red Wing, MN. The event was two days long and included vendor presentations as well as engaging roundtable discussions on challenges faced in the industry. Time well spent. UMUFC is already planning their Spring 2023 meeting. Stay Tuned… IMG-7476 IMG…

Hot Shot’s Secret Everyday Diesel Treatment (EDT) is the No. 1 selling diesel fuel conditioner in retail. Now, Hot Shot’s Secret is introducing a new complementary formulation developed specifically for use during cold weather. EDT+ Winter Defense provides all the benefits of EDT fuel additive, including improved power, performance and mpg. Additionally, it prevents gelling and icing when temperatures start to drop and has industry-leading lubricity protection with the addition of LX4 Lubricity Extreme. Cold temperatures can cause diesel fuel to gel or ice, causing hard starts, poor comb…

Get tips on resilience, building the will to win and using challenges as motivation from one of North America’s most recognizable business leaders – Robert Herjavec – at Work Truck Week 2023. The entrepreneur, author and star of “Shark Tank” will be the keynote speaker at the NTEA Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 9, 2023. Work Truck Week is North America’s largest work truck event. Held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, it encompasses The Work Truck Show, Green Truck Summit, Ride & Drive, educational conference and more. The Green Truck Summit is March 7, educational…

All major automakers have gone all-in on an all-electric future. But can the U.S.’s aging grid handle the upcoming surge in demand for charging? And what about resiliency during power outages when you have less access to fossil-fueled generators? Industry experts point to vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology as a potential solution to help address these concerns and smooth the transition to electrification. By enabling electric vehicles with V2G capabilities, fleet managers can work with local utilities on demand response and position their EV fleets as a potential backup power source dur…