Category Archives: News

News

Good Catch: Mismarked Gas Main

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Staying Vigilant in the Field

Our Good Catch Program continues to spotlight employees who demonstrate exceptional awareness and commitment to safety. This month, we recognize a crew whose quick thinking and decisive action prevented what could have been a serious incident. Their use of stop work authority and attention to changing jobsite conditions exemplifies the proactive safety culture we strive to uphold.

Recognizing the Hazard

While trenching on Glenside Avenue, approximately 160 feet north of Greenwood, an IFS Civil Crew noticed a change in ground conditions. Rather than proceeding, they immediately halted excavation and began hand digging to investigate further. Their caution paid off—they uncovered a 6-inch plastic gas main crossing the trench diagonally, which had been mismarked by the locator as being 56 feet north of its actual location.

Verification and Response

An inspector was on site and verified the discovery. The crew’s decision to stop and reassess the situation not only prevented a potential dig-in but also safeguarded the surrounding community and infrastructure from a potentially dangerous gas line rupture.

Empowered to Act

This incident is a powerful reminder of the importance of empowering our teams to speak up and take action. The crew’s confidence in using their stop work authority, combined with their experience and adherence to safety protocols, made all the difference.

Kudos to the IFS Civil Crew for their vigilance and dedication. Their actions reflect the core values of our safety culture—where every team member is encouraged to observe, question, and act to prevent hazards before they become incidents.

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Good Catch: Defective Gloves Identified

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Our Good Catch Program continues to highlight our employees who stay vigilant and identify potential hazards. By utilizing the energy wheel, our team thoroughly inspects and identifies STKY (Situations That Kill You) scenarios, leading to countless safety success stories. Our commitment to safety and precision continues to shine through the diligent efforts of our teams.

Coordination and Communication

Recently, an InfraSource NE Small Job Foreman (SJF) was performing an air test and inspection on his Class 2 rubber gloves when he discovered a defect in the rubber. These were new gloves, straight out of the box. The SJF initially performed an air test with an inflator and found no air leaks. However, during a subsequent visual check, the defect was detected.

Identifying and Resolving the Defect

This discovery underscores the importance of thorough testing and inspection of safety equipment before each use. The defect in the gloves could have posed a significant risk if not identified. Thanks to the vigilance and attention to detail of our team, this potential hazard was caught and addressed promptly.

Preventing Safety Hazards

This incident highlights the critical role of accurate and diligent inspection in preventing safety hazards and ensuring the reliability of our safety gear. The proactive measures taken by the InfraSource foreman exemplify our ongoing commitment to excellence and safety in all our operations.

Kudos to the team for their dedication and attention to detail, ensuring that our employees are equipped with safe and reliable gear.

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Good Catch: InfraSource Crew Prevents Potential Hazard

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Our Good Catch Program continues to highlight our employees who stay vigilant and identify potential hazards. By utilizing the energy wheel, our team thoroughly inspects and identifies STKY (Situations That Kill You) scenarios, leading to countless safety success stories. Our commitment to safety and precision continues to shine through the diligent efforts of our teams.

Critical Safety Discovery

During a routine pole replacement and the installation of a new Normal Open Viper, an InfraSource crew made a critical safety discovery. While installing the VCR, the crew noticed that the center bushing was pointed downward. Acting swiftly, the Site Job Foreman (SJF) called for a Stop Timeout and alerted the General Foreman (GF).

Inspection and Resolution

Upon further inspection and discussion with the Construction Supervisor (CS), it was determined that the bushing’s position was unsafe for service. The crew disassembled the bushing and found that the brass break-away stud inside was broken in half. Recognizing the potential hazard, parts were promptly ordered, and repairs will be conducted in the field.

Commitment to Safety

This proactive identification of a serious issue before the VCR was put into operation highlights the crew’s dedication to safety and excellence. Kudos to the InfraSource team for their vigilance and quick action in preventing what could have been a significant problem. Their commitment ensures the continued reliability and safety of our services.

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Good Catches: Ensuring Accuracy in Scheduled Outages

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Our Good Catch Program continues to highlight our employees who stay vigilant and identify potential hazards. By utilizing the energy wheel, our team thoroughly inspects and identifies STKY (Situations That Kill You) scenarios, leading to countless safety success stories. Our commitment to safety and precision continues to shine through the diligent efforts of our teams.

Coordination and Communication

Recently, an InfraSource crew was assigned the critical task of transferring #6 copper primary to a new pole. This line is essential as it supplies power to the city water pumps, necessitating the use of generators during the outage. The General Foreman (GF) took proactive steps to coordinate with the Water Authority, informing them of the scheduled outage and assuring them they would receive a confirmation letter. However, when the customer contacted the GF to verify the dates, they noted a discrepancy: their letter listed an incorrect date for the outage, with an incorrect rain date as well.

Identifying and Resolving the Discrepancy

Upon consulting with the work planner, it was determined that the system had generated incorrect dates. This discrepancy could have led to an unplanned outage, potentially leaving the entire city without water. Thanks to the vigilance and thorough communication of our team, this critical error was identified and corrected in time.

Preventing Unplanned Outages

This incident underscores the importance of accurate documentation and communication in preventing unplanned outages and ensuring the safety and reliability of our services. The proactive measures taken by the InfraSource dock crew highlight our ongoing commitment to excellence and safety in all our operations.

Kudos to the team for their dedication and attention to detail, ensuring that our customers receive the reliable service they depend on.

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InfraSource’s Women’s Employee Resource Group Celebrates Women in Construction Week

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March 2-8 is Women in Construction Week™(WIC). Established by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) in 1998, WIC celebrates and promotes the role of women in the construction industry. 

What better time to spotlight our Women’s Employee Resource Group (ERG)? This group kicked off in December 2024 with the mission to foster inclusivity and support women within the organization. The ERG has adopted the name LIFT, which stands for Leading Infrasouce Females Together. 

A Vision for Support and Representation
The idea for the Women’s ERG began with Stephanie Krabbe, Senior Vice President of Organizational Development, who recognized the need for more support and representation for women in the construction industry. “The goal of creating the Women’s ERG is to foster an inclusive environment that supports the professional and personal development of women within our organization,” she explains. “It provides a space for women to connect, share experiences, and access resources that can help them advance in their careers.”

Meet the LIFT Leadership Team

InfraSource’s Women’s ERG is led by a passionate group of women, including Chair Danie Adamic, Vice-Chair Holly Luehring, Communications Chair Marissa Sitton, and Membership Chair Shaun McGuire. Each brings a unique perspective and a shared commitment to empowering women at InfraSource.

  • Danie Adamic, Chair, began her journey at InfraSource nine years ago as a fuser. Now an OQ Evaluator, she’s dedicated to inspiring women to step outside their comfort zones. “You don’t know what you can do unless you try,” she says, encouraging others to be bold and take risks.
  • Holly Luehring, Vice-Chair, started her 25-year career in construction as a marketing intern. With the help of mentors and allies, she built a successful career by taking on new challenges and continually learning. Holly envisions the ERG as a space where women can uplift and support each other. “Don’t be your own roadblock. Take a chance and believe in yourself,” she advises.
  • Shaun McGuire, Membership Chair, brings 16 years of experience in the auto industry to her role as Fleet Coordinator at InfraSource. With a focus on connecting women across the company, Shaun is committed to fostering growth and mentorship.
  • Marissa Sitton, Communications Chair, is the corporate fleet manager who manages the company’s fleet operations. She’s eager to create open communication channels and facilitate collaboration within the ERG.

Building a Culture of Empowerment

The Women’s ERG is a platform for building confidence, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for women at InfraSource. United by a shared passion for mentorship and advocacy, the group is paving the way for a more inclusive workplace.

As the ERG grows, it will not only provide support for women at InfraSource but will also inspire the development of additional employee resource groups. Ultimately, it’s all part of the company’s commitment to creating a positive workplace culture.

Look for more from the LIFT this week as the group takes over our social feeds.   

INFRASOURCE LIFT LOGO

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Good Catches: Adapting to Daily Changes on the Job

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Our Good Catch Program continues to highlight our employees who stay vigilant and identify potential hazards. By utilizing the energy wheel, our team thoroughly inspects and identifies STKY (Situations That Kill You) scenarios, leading to countless safety success stories. Kudos to all the crews who mitigate daily STKY situations.

Catching a Critical Error
A crew began work on an interruption on a circuit. During a manhole inspection, the team noticed a discrepancy in the gas-operated switch tag’s clearance order (CO) number; the number on the switch didn’t match the Clearance Order. After contacting the Operations Control Center, they discovered a new CO had been issued for an inoperable switch. This catch highlighted a lock-out tag-out violation, emphasizing the importance of accurate documentation and communication.

Preventing a Fire Hazard
A crew was tasked with replacing an open wire service with a triplex. They found the customer’s service entry cable insulation had deteriorated, posing a fire hazard. The team de-energized the service, made temporary repairs, and ensured the customer’s power remained on during freezing temperatures. The customer was advised to contact an electrician for permanent repairs, with follow-up planned to ensure safety.

Avoiding Utility Conflicts
While setting a new service pole, a crew noticed a private storm drain in the path of the new pole. They moved the pole to a different location and scheduled a Vac Truck to dig the hole, ensuring no utility conflicts.

Addressing Changing Conditions
A crew tasked with replacing a pole noticed a tree in the Right-of-Way that had uprooted during recent storms, posing a risk of unscheduled outages. They reported the issue, and a trouble ticket was created to clear the Right-of-Way, showcasing how conditions can change daily on the job.

Addressing a Split Pole
A crew was tasked with replacing a pole and transferring facilities. During their inspection, they noticed the adjacent dead-end pole was split at the top. They performed a Stop Timeout and decided to install split bolts on the pole before moving the primary at the assigned pole. This proactive measure ensured the safety and stability of the structure.

Identifying and Resolving Multiple Issues
A crew was assigned to move secondaries to a new required height. Before framing for the new attachment, they noticed an old porcelain cutout. It has become standard practice to check these cutouts for cracks, as they can easily break. Upon inspection, they found the arm was completely rotten. The crew performed a Stop Timeout and contacted their Foreman.

When the crew went up to put rubber on for the pole set, they noticed the cross arm was completely rotted on top and needed to be changed before setting the new pole. They performed another Stop Timeout to change the scope of work. After making the existing arm safe and setting the new pole, the crew removed the existing transformer bank. During this process, they discovered one of the mounting brackets was broken off and another was cracked and in poor condition. The crew performed yet another Stop Timeout to adjust the scope of work obtained two new transformers and completed the job safely and efficiently.

News

Good Catch Program: Enhancing Safety Through Vigilance and Proactive Measures

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At InfraSource, a Quanta Company, we are committed to fostering a culture of safety through our Good Catch Program. This initiative encourages employees to stay vigilant and identify potential hazards. By utilizing the energy wheel, our team thoroughly inspects and identifies STKY (Situations That Kill You) scenarios, leading to countless safety success stories.

Preventing a Service Outage: While working near a pole where phase transfers were taking place, the crew identified a potential hazard. Concerned about the issue, they inspected the cutout before moving any wires. This precaution was crucial; without it, manipulating the wire could have caused the cutout to separate, resulting in a service outage for the Fire and Rescue building. The crew immediately called for an all-stop and alerted supervision.

Identifying a Broken Crossarm: A crew was dispatched to address a Power Service Problem during a storm. Upon arrival, they determined that all customers had power. As an extra precaution, the crew patrolled the line and found a broken cross-arm several spans away. The arm was still attached to the phase and hanging less than 10 feet above the ground, energized. The crew took a Stop Timeout and made the area safe.

Fixing a Broken Termination Tip: While transferring an existing riser to a new pole, an employee noticed the termination tip felt loose and wobbly. Upon investigation, the crew found the termination tip was cleanly broken inside the termination. After notifying the proper channels, it was determined that the crew needed to re-terminate the cable. Letting this go unfixed would have led to an eventual problem and fault. A good questioning attitude by the lineman led to this important catch and prevention of a future issue.

Covering Bare Hot Taps: Before transferring the energized triplex to a new pole, the crew noticed uncovered hot taps sitting right next to a neutral. If the crew had transferred the triplex without setting up to cover the bare taps, there could have been a secondary fault and outage. At InfraSource, we follow the Capacity model for our Safety Culture, thinking about Safety Differently. We plan and execute our work, assuming failure will happen today. The Capacity Model™ helps us build the capacity to absorb failure without suffering harm. We learn from every job, every mistake, and every success to continually improve.
Safety is not merely the absence of injuries; it is the presence of capacity.

Graphic Showing a logo of the good catch program and capacity model.
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InfraSource Earns 2025 Military Friendly Employer Designation

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Columbus, Ohio (Nov 11th, 2024) – InfraSource announced today they have earned the 2025 Military Friendly® Employer designation. Military Friendly® is the standard measuring an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® Employers designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over twelve hundred companies participated in the Military Friendly® survey.

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by VIQTORY, a service disabled, veteran owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects service men and women with civilian employment and educational opportunities.  Additional input was provided by the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining an organization’s survey score with an assessment of the organization’s ability to meet thresholds for Recruitment, New Hire Retention, Employee Turnover, and Promotion & Advancement of veterans and military employees.

“Our commitment to being a Military and Spouse Friendly Employer and Supplier Diversity Top Ten Winner reflects our dedication to supporting and strengthening our military community. By welcoming transitioning service members, veterans, and their families, we bring in individuals whose skills and experiences are invaluable to our company. Their discipline, leadership, and adaptability strengthen our teams and support our efforts to drive the organization forward. Aligned with our core values of Safety, Quality, Integrity, Ownership, Service, and Teamwork, their contributions enhance our culture, helping us deliver outstanding results for our customers and the communities we serve,” – Stephanie Krabbe, Senior Vice President of Organizational Development at InfraSource

“Organizations earning the Military Friendly® Employers designation the have wholeheartedly invested in comprehensive and impactful initiatives that bring about positive, life-changing results for our valued service members, dedicated military spouses, and esteemed veterans within their ranks, We salute these exemplary employers who raise the bar and understand that hiring military personnel is not merely an act of goodwill but a testament to a standard that truly embodies sound business wisdom. Their commitment to integrating military personnel into their workforce not only reflects their compassion but also underscores their business acumen,” – Kayla Lopez, Sr Director of Partnerships at Military Friendly®

InfraSource will be showcased in the 2025 Military Friendly® Employers in the Winter issue of G.I. Jobs® magazine and on MilitaryFriendly.com.

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How InfraSource Supports Workplace Safety: The Good Catch Program  

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One of the pillars of our company is safety, and we want to ensure it is always at the forefront of every employee’s mind. One way we achieve this, is through the Good Catch Program.

The Good Catch Program encourages employees to be vigilant of their surroundings and always be on the lookout for things that could be potential hazards. The first Good Catch was spotted as an apprentice was preparing to climb a pole during a job. As the apprentice was inspecting the site, they noticed a live wire was touching the pole, putting the crew at risk for electric shock or injury. The crew stopped all work and safely addressed the hazard. 

The second Good Catch was found during a manhole inspection. The crew spotted a primary electrical fault – an abnormality that can disrupt the normal flow of electricity and cause electrical shock or fire. They immediately stopped all work, and the fault was reported and scheduled for repair. By being diligent, the crew prevented a potentially dangerous event from happening.

The final Good Catch occurred during a pole replacement, when the crew noticed something did not look right with one of the cables. Upon further inspection, they found one of the protective devices around the cable had failed, leading to a damaged wire. The crew stopped their work and repaired the wire and cable, preventing a possible hazard.

Through diligence and attention to detail, our crews have successfully prevented potential hazards from turning into dangerous situations, ensuring a safe working environment for all.

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InfraSource – DOD SkillBridge Partner! 

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We are proud to announce that InfraSource has officially become a DOD SkillBridge partner! This partnership allows us to contribute directly to the professional growth of transitioning service members while benefiting from their incredible expertise and dedication. 

“Becoming a SkillBridge partner is not just an exciting milestone for InfraSource—it’s a meaningful way for us to support those who have served our country,” said Stephanie Krabbe, Sr Vice President of Organizational Development. 

We are proud to be a part of this important program and look forward to welcoming service members onto our team so they can continue to make an impact.

What is DOD SkillBridge? 

DOD SkillBridge is a Department of Defense initiative connecting service members nearing the end of their military service with civilian job training opportunities. Through this program, service members can participate in apprenticeships, internships, or industry training programs during their last 180 days of active duty. This provides them with a seamless transition to a civilian career by gaining real-world experience and skills.