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AUGUST 2019 Archive

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 3 AUGUST 2019 utilityfleetprofessional.com

OSHA, Training and Certification

| Jim Vaughn, CUSP |
The occupational safety and health industry and civil authorities require that employers provide training to employees. In the U.S., OSHA mandates safety training related to tasks assigned to employees. The agency often also requires the employer to certify that the training has been completed. In fact, if you have an incident requiring OSHA notification, the […]
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Pole Removal and Setting Techniques to Prevent Digger Derrick Damage

| Jason Julius |
Digger derricks are among the most versatile tools on a utility line construction project. They are built to tackle a myriad of tasks, from digging holes and lifting and setting poles to turning in screw anchors, putting lineworkers in the air and setting transformers. In short, digger derricks are hardworking tools used to solve a […]
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Women in Utility Fleet: Holly Giffrow-Bos

| Sean M. Lyden |
In 2006, when Holly Giffrow-Bos applied for the open fleet position at East Central Energy in Braham, Minnesota, she wasn’t exactly sure what she was getting into. “Automotive is what I knew, but I really didn’t know what fleet was all about because it’s a completely different animal than the retail automotive business,” she said. […]
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PWX 2019 to Draw Thousands of Public Works Professionals to Seattle

| Kate Wade |
Thousands of public works professionals will convene in Seattle September 8-11 when PWX – owned and produced by the American Public Works Association – takes place at the Washington State Convention Center. Trade professionals, municipal leaders, government officials and individuals from the private sector are expected to attend to take advantage of learning and networking […]
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The State of Drones in the North American Utility Market

| Sean M. Lyden |
Line inspections using helicopters cost about $1,500 per mile compared to around $200 per mile with a drone. That nearly 90% reduction presents a compelling business case for utility companies to use drones, while also being able to improve safety by putting fewer lineworkers and helicopter pilots in harm’s way. But drone sales in the […]
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Watch Your Overhang: Spec’ing Utility Pole Trailers for Maximum Safety

| Jim Galligan |
“Mind your lengths and weights” could be the mantra for any utility spec’ing a new utility pole trailer. Pole lengths and weights, as well as the operating terrain and tie-down options, are some of the safety-related factors to consider when ordering a new trailer, industry experts said. At the top of the safety spec’ing list […]
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Technology Tools to Ensure Proper Fuel Use

| Fiona Soltes |
Remember the days when fuel consumption was likely to be documented on a clipboard near the pump? Chris Lindquist does, too. Lindquist, who spent almost 30 years managing fleet and fleet operations for Colorado Springs Utilities before other opportunities, said vehicle numbers and gallons used were marked, “but reconciling those wasn’t very accurate.” Times have […]
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Is Now the Time to Rightsize Your Fleet?

| Grace Suizo |
The task of cutting fleet costs while remaining productive and providing quality service to customers can be challenging. Over time, rightsizing has become a go-to strategy to accomplish just such a task. To gain greater insight on the topic, UFP recently spoke with three fleet professionals about their take on rightsizing and the strategies that […]
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Invest in the Right Training for Your Fleet Technicians

| Sandy Smith |
Matt Gilliland, director of operations support for Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), understands the value of investing in training for fleet mechanics. “There is an old cliché that says, ‘The only thing more expensive than training is not training,’” he said. “Training is one of the most important tools in the technician’s toolbox.” And it’s […]
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How to Get Buy-In on Your New Fleet Initiative

| Sean M. Lyden |
You’re planning to roll out a new telematics deployment or ask senior management for a bigger budget, expecting to encounter some resistance. How do you position your proposal to get buy-in from stakeholders? The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle offered insight into this topic with his work “The Art of Rhetoric,” which was published about 2,400 […]
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