Tag Archives: Safety

News

Beyond the Job: A Crew Member’s Quiet Heroism

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While conducting a routine inspection, Allan demonstrated extraordinary compassion and presence of mind in a moment that went far beyond the scope of their daily responsibilities. 

During the inspection, Allan was approached by a man who initiated a conversation with a simple question: “How are you doing today?” After exchanging greetings, the man revealed he was in distress, stating, “I want to kill myself,” before lying down in the middle of the road. 

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the crew member responded calmly and empathetically: “Whatever you have going on, this isn’t the way to deal with it. How about we get out of the road and talk for a little while?” He offered the man cold water and stayed by his side, despite the man’s initial refusal to move. 

After a few minutes of conversation, the man agreed to a deal: he would move to the trailer in exchange for the water. As the crew member walked to retrieve it, he flagged down a passing hospital worker and asked them to alert the nearby fire department. 

By the time he returned, the man had again laid down in the road. The crew member remained with him, ensuring his safety until the fire department arrived. Ultimately, the responders were able to convince the man to accept transport to a hospital for care. 

In recognition of his extraordinary actions, Allan was awarded the Quanta Commitment Coin—a prestigious honor reserved for individuals who exemplify exceptional safety practices and unwavering dedication to the well-being of others.

This act of compassion, quick thinking, and unwavering commitment to safety and humanity exemplifies the spirit of the Quanta Commitment Coin. It’s a reminder that our greatest impact often comes not from the tasks we perform, but from the care we show to others—especially in their most vulnerable moments. 

News

Good Catch: Barn Fire Prevented

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Good Catch Overview
While arriving at a job site one morning, a crew member noticed a large fire dangerously close to a nearby barn. Strong winds were pushing the flames directly toward the structure, creating an urgent and hazardous situation.

Action Taken
The crew member quickly pulled into the homeowner’s driveway and found them unaware of the fire’s resurgence. After alerting them to the danger, they contacted a teammate to bring a vac truck to the scene. Using the truck’s water supply, they worked together to extinguish the flames before they reached the barn.

Outcome & Impact
Thanks to quick thinking and decisive action, the fire was extinguished before it could cause serious damage. The homeowners expressed deep gratitude, and a potentially devastating incident was successfully averted.

Kudos to the crew for their vigilance and commitment to safety. Their actions exemplify our safety-first culture—where every team member is empowered to observe, speak up, and act to prevent incidents before they occur.

News

Local Lineman Hailed as Hero After Life-Saving Act at Gas Station

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What began as a routine fuel stop quickly turned into a life-or-death situation—and thanks to the swift actions of Connor, a Journeyman Lineman with InfraSource, a life was saved.

While waiting in line at a local gas station, Connor witnessed an elderly man suddenly collapse, striking his head on the counter. Without hesitation, Connor sprang into action. He immediately assessed the man’s condition, determined he was unconscious, and directed the store attendant to call 911.

Relying on his First Aid and CPR training, Connor administered life-saving care, monitoring the man’s condition and keeping him stable and comfortable until emergency medical services arrived. His calm, decisive response ensured the man received critical care during those crucial early moments.

Witnesses and first responders praised Connor’s quick thinking and readiness to help. “All parties involved are thankful Connor was present, willing to help, and is well trained for this circumstance,” said a spokesperson from InfraSource.

In recognition of his extraordinary actions, Connor was awarded the Quanta Commitment Coin—a prestigious honor reserved for individuals who exemplify exceptional safety practices and unwavering dedication to the well-being of others.

Connor’s actions not only reflect his personal courage and preparedness but also embody InfraSource’s core values and commitment to safety. His story is a powerful reminder of how one person’s training and willingness to act can make a life-saving difference.

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.

News

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.

News

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.

News

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.

News

Encouraging Workplace Safety with the Good Catch Program

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At InfraSource, safety is one of our core values. The Good Catch program encourages our team to be vigilant of their surroundings and look for things that could be potential hazards in the workplace. 

The first Good Catch stood out because our team’s attention to detail prevented an unscheduled power outage. The team was working on a scheduled railroad crossing job when they noticed an aluminum conductor was melted. While the team was waiting for approval to make the necessary repairs, a tree fell downstream of the job site, causing the line to trip. The team worked together to make repairs at both locations, preventing a potential outage.

Another notable Good Catch was made when the team found a piece of mislabeled electrical equipment. The team worked with the System Operator to verify their findings and label the equipment correctly, preventing an error in the future.

Our final Good Catch is important because the team successfully identified and resolved a hazardous situation. The team noticed a basket cutting into the secondary riser at a job site. Testing revealed the basket was energized at 120V, exposed along the wire and pole. The issue was fixed, and a potentially dangerous situation avoided.

InfraSource’s commitment to safety is evident through the Good Catch Program. Our team has successfully prevented numerous hazards through their attention to detail and dedication to keeping a safe working environment.

Projects

Project Spotlight: Electric Broken Cross Storm Response

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Electric Overhead – Storm Response

In the late evening hours, a severe thunderstorm swept through Maryland, bringing high winds, lightning, and heavy rain. The storm caused widespread damage to the power infrastructure, leaving around 57,000 residents and businesses without electricity at its peak.

Understanding the critical nature of the situation, we swiftly mobilized our crews, arriving on the scene within an hour. Our team immediately began repairing a damaged cross brace on a 13kV line. This involved securing overhead cables, clearing debris, and reinforcing the structure to handle the power load.

Thanks to their quick and efficient work, the 13kV power line was repaired and stabilized, significantly reducing the outage duration. Power was restored promptly, minimizing the storm’s impact on the community. Our crews continued to support additional repairs and restoration efforts until power was fully restored to all affected areas.

We are proud of our team’s dedication and efficiency in responding to this emergency. Their hard work ensured that the community could return to normalcy as quickly as possible, demonstrating our commitment to reliable service and community support.

Projects

Project Spotlight: 13kV Recloser Installation

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Electric Overhead

Our urban electric crews bring extensive experience and specialized skills to managing projects in densely populated and high-traffic areas. Our team excels in implementing effective and safe traffic management strategies, working collaboratively with local authorities to protect both the crew and the public during project execution. Our commitment to safety and efficiency is evident in every project we undertake, making us a trusted partner in urban infrastructure development.

Because of these capabilities and commitments, we were awarded the contract to replace nine utility poles as part of an extensive infrastructure replacement program. This initiative aimed to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the electrical distribution network.

Throughout the duration of this project, nine utility poles were replaced, along with five 13kV transformers and three additional transformers of varying specifications. Also, 1,500 feet of new 4/0 aluminum conductor was installed, and finally, the existing 1/0 aluminum conductor was replaced.

The new poles and transformers reduce the likelihood of outages and improve overall system reliability. Upgrading the conductor to 4/0 aluminum allowed for higher electrical loads, meeting the growing demand in the area.

In conclusion, our team’s dedication to safety, efficiency, and collaboration has ensured this project’s successful completion and significantly contributed to the enhancement of the local electrical infrastructure. We look forward to continuing our role as a reliable partner in future urban infrastructure projects.