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Efforts to improve aerial work platform safety have fueled multiple recent technological innovations now available for use by utility organizations. Among the critical features found in modern bucket trucks are collision-mitigation systems and reverse sensors and camera systems, according to Chris Shallenberg, national sales manager for PALFINGER North America (www.palfinger.com). “These features…

Electric utility crews face many risks when working near traffic. Due to the numerous variables that they assess and manage, crews must understand how the job, location, equipment and people will interact on the worksite to achieve optimal safety and efficiency. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), produced by the Federal Highway Administration and available at https://mutcd.fhw…

Matt Gilliland didn’t plan on a career in fleet management. Growing up on a Nebraska farm and later working in his father’s repair shop, he developed mechanical skills that would prove invaluable in fleet. But his initial path led elsewhere, from political science studies to social services work. Then came December 2006. Gilliland was at Kearney Tire & Auto Service, a preferred provider for N…

Two years ago at NTEA’s Work Truck Week, electric vehicles dominated the conversation. Every OEM touted its electrification solutions. The message was clear: the future is all-electric, and it’s happening now. Fast-forward to today and the picture looks different. “It’s clear the EV market is not where it was just two years ago,” said Jeremy Dewey, manager of energy and fuel for Holman (www.holma…

In a busy maintenance shop, even a small misstep can lead to injury. Common hazard mitigation tactics include shop safety protocols, signage, and training and personal protective equipment for employees. But once a fleet manager checks those boxes, is there more they can do? To find out, UFP spoke with Jeffrey James Neal, fleet maintenance operations manager for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&…

An ideal utility fleet safety program will account for fleet’s distinct operating environment. Why? “The fleet group is totally different than what a lot of utility workforces do,” explained Matt Gilliland, director of operations support and business continuity for Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD). “We work on a variety of different equipment, and it’s very seldom the same issue or problem t…

From February 20-24, thousands are expected to gather at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston for the American Traffic Safety Services Association’s 56th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo. Billed as the premier North American event for the roadway safety infrastructure industry, attendees can expect to explore the latest developments in relevant devices, vehicles, equipment and tec…

Strobes and beacons play a critical role in both worker and public safety, increasing vehicle visibility during roadside operations. But they aren’t all created equal, which means fleet managers must weigh several factors when spec’ing these lights. First, define vehicle use and environment. Consider the primary functions and operating conditions of your fleet. Then, strategize for multilevel vis…

Andax Industries has introduced the Tarptainer, a safety containment system for large electric utility transformers and other equipment that allows for minimal ground clearance and enables crews to maintain a safe distance from suspended loads. The Tarptainer can be placed under transformers or equipment with as little as 1 inch of ground clearance. The sides remain flat during positioning, elimi…

PALFINGER, a global leader in lifting solutions, has announced the launch of PALFINGER Financial Services. This new program provides registered businesses in the U.S. with flexible and competitive financing options to acquire PALFINGER equipment, reinforcing the company’s commitment to being a solutions provider. PALFINGER Financial Services gives contractors, fleet owners and business operators…

Earlier this month, Terex officially launched its all-new TRX Series – a family of telescopic aerial devices designed for trouble truck and distribution work – at The Utility Expo in Louisville, Kentucky. The series is engineered to deliver superior lifting capacity, increased payload and operational efficiency, all without the need for a CDL. The TRX Series includes four models (TRX41, TRX48, TR…

Telesteps has introduced the world’s first and only DuPont Kevlar telescoping ladders, available in both a Type 1A extension and a Type 1AA A-frame stepladder. Unlike aluminum ladders, these models are fully non-conductive, significantly reducing electrocution risk for lineworkers and electricians working near energized lines. Compared to fiberglass, Kevlar is lighter, stronger, and far more resi…

Developing a strong telematics request for proposal (RFP) is a critical and somewhat complex process that can present a host of potential challenges. To learn more about what it takes for utility fleet professionals to successfully navigate this task, UFP spoke with Beth Daiber, superintendent of field support and analysis for Ameren Illinois, and Steven Berube, vice president of sales at Geotab…

While it’s true that outsourcing tire procurement and maintenance can reduce a shop’s workload, fleets must effectively oversee their tire vendors to maximize the benefits of these partnerships. “Tires are often among the top expenses for most fleets,” said Christopher Foster, director of North American fleet management services at Holman (www.holman.com). “It’s critically important to have a pro…

In 2001, ComEd – a Chicago-based utility serving over 4 million customers across northern Illinois – became one of the first utilities in the Midwest to adopt biodiesel. Today, approximately 1,900 company vehicles run on biodiesel blends, ranging from B20 (for most of the year) to B11 (during the winter). What led ComEd to launch a biodiesel program? What were some of the early challenges the uti…

Mud, brush, rock, water, steep terrain and harsh weather are all factors that contribute to track vehicle breakdowns. That is, unless your team maintains those vehicles properly. “Overheating, hydraulic component failures and premature wear – these are the most common issues we see when proper maintenance isn’t performed,” said Gerry Carriere, director of customer service for Panther crawler carr…

Utilities with hundreds or thousands of assets must take a strategic approach to shop scheduling to balance competing priorities. Fleet managers are tasked with ensuring each asset is adequately maintained while providing field crews with the vehicles and equipment they need to successfully complete their work. One way to effectively manage scheduled preventive maintenance (PM) begins with identi…

In my role as a safety consultant, I receive numerous and varied questions about the safe use of bucket trucks in electric utility operations. So, to help clear up confusion, I am going to share information about the OSHA standards as well as some things I have discovered during my observations and audits of field crews. First, it is important to recognize that there is a substantial difference b…

Whether to rent or own heavy equipment is a question utility fleet managers commonly consider, largely because there isn’t a definitive answer other than, “It depends.” They must assess the various factors unique to their circumstances to determine the best path forward. In a recent conversation with UFP, Paul Jefferson, senior fleet manager at Oklahoma Gas and Electric, offered his experience-ba…