05/02/2019

National Electrical Safety Month

Co-op employees train to be prepared to work safely when disasters strike

EnergyLines May 2019

2012 TORNADO DAMAGE: Tornadoes roared through southern Indiana in March 2012 killing 13 people and destroying homes, schools and businesses. Serving Clark County REMC, the Henryville substation was nearly destroyed. It was rebuilt and energized in six days in a collaborative cooperative effort.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) designates each May as National Electrical Safety Month. The theme for this year is “Safety During Natural Disasters.”

To support natural disaster awareness and readiness, the Hoosier Energy’s Apprenticeship Training and Safety (HEATS) program helps co-op employees prepare for natural disasters that can affect the delivery of electricity such as ice storms, tornadoes and flooding.

The HEATS program teaches apprentices how to select the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

For example, line workers must use the appropriate classification of PPE (rubber gloves, etc.) while working with voltage levels that can vary from state to state.

Line worker visibility is also important. During a natural disaster, wearing hard hats, brightly-colored vests and using flashers on trucks and equipment helps member-consumers easily identify them. This is helpful during times of prolonged darkness following a natural disaster.

Together, these steps are helping protect line workers and the public as power is restored following natural disasters.