Safety
Overhead utility construction is an inherently dangerous business. Working with helicopters, heavy steel and power lines means safety is a primary concern. United Power Contractors has a dedicated safety coordinator responsible for maintaining the highest level of standards. The United States Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety & Health Organization (OSHA) including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union all have standards that need to be met.
Our Safety Coordinator is responsible for tracking all incidents, maintaining the continuing education of our crews and keeping track of new standards and regualtions regarding the industry and implementing any new procedures developed during the normal course of a job.
Regulations cannot cover every situation. When accidents happen there is a clear evaluation process to determine if any new procedures can be implemented to increase the safety and welfare of our crews. Sometimes it is a simple matter of supplying another piece of equipment to our crews. Sometimes it is more involved and requires additional checks and balances in the course of doing the required work that needs to be put in place.
Equipment inspections and testing is done on a regular basis. Some of that testing requires items to be submitted to independent third party facilities to be certified. If standards are not met the equipment is replaced.
Even our safety department and procedures are reviewed by our Workman's Compensation insurance carrier on a regular basis to insure the correct documentation of any incidents and to insure our system frunctions within their guidelines. United Power Contractors has very high standards in this regard. As a result of our efforts we have maintained one of the topo ratings by our carrier.
Bottom line -- We want our crews to go home safe at the end of the day.