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.
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.
At InfraSource, safety is always our first priority. Our commitment to ensuring a secure work environment led us to establish the Good Catch program. This program highlights our unwavering dedication to safety and The Capacity Model. Our team pays meticulous attention to detail, constantly monitoring their surroundings. Their vigilance has proven pivotal in averting safety hazards, all thanks to the Good Catch program.
The success of our Good Catch program continues to grow, with an ever-expanding collection of safety success stories. These stories demonstrate our employees’ enduring commitment to this program. By proactively identifying and rectifying potentially dangerous situations, they ensure the well-being of everyone involved.
This first Good Catch particularly stood out, as the team’s adherence to procedure prevented a potentially life-threatening situation. One day during a routine change of blocking, our crew discovered that the A and C phases were de-energized, but the B phase remained energized. There was a single-phase radial off the B phase that went to a cell tower. The backup generator briefly came on and turned off, de-energizing the B phase. In response, the crew promptly executed a stop timeout. The system operator instructed them to eliminate the back feed from the generator. The crew also promptly notified the cell company, which assured them of immediate resolution. Overall, their swift action ensured safety and allowed time to identify the correct solution.
Our next safety success story involves our crew identifying multiple faulted secondary cables. These cables were discovered while our crew was conducting their initial inspection of a manhole. One of our foremen immediately contacted management and the construction manager. They collaborated to devise a repair plan after obtaining additional resources to determine the best course of action. The following day, the crew entered the manhole and successfully made the cables safe without disrupting service to our customers. Thanks to this crew, crisis was averted, and everyone involved stayed safe.
The last Good Catch is a situation of some melted wires. Before our crew began work to transfer wire, they diligently inspected the affected area and discovered melted strands. Taking immediate action, the crew initiated a stop timeout to strategize. Subsequently, they skillfully sleeved the damaged conductor. Their attention to detail and expertise played a pivotal role in identifying this hazard and preventing any further risks.
In summary, InfraSource’s commitment to safety is evident through the Good Catch program. Our team has proactively averted numerous hazards, from faulted cables to melted wires. These success stories underscore our dedication to maintaining a safety-first work environment.
Safety is paramount in any organization, and our Good Catch program has proven highly effective. From near misses to proactive interventions, our employees have been instrumental in preventing accidents and ensuring a safe work environment.
The Good Catch Program encourages employees to report safety concerns and potential hazards. It empowers everyone—from frontline workers to management—to actively participate in maintaining a safe workplace. This program continues to provide us with countless safety success stories to share.
This first Good Catch is a bit different from others. On an ordinary workday, the crew had closed a one-way road using cones and signs. One of the crew members suddenly noticed an unexpected situation. A third-party vehicle was speeding down the opposite way of the work zone, being pursued by two police officers. The vehicle was believed to be going at least 70 mph. Without hesitation, he shouted to his crew, “Look out!” His vigilance and prompt action allowed the entire team to escape harm’s way. His awareness and quick thinking protected both himself and his colleagues from a potentially dangerous situation.
This next safety success story involves an improper hot line clamp. One day, our crew was assigned to replace a split cross arm. As they prepared for the job, they noticed an improperly installed transformer hotline clamp on the stirrup. Without hesitation, they initiated a stop timeout to address the issue safely. By adhering to STKY rules and utilizing their stop timeout authority, they prevented an unscheduled transformer outage.
These incidents powerfully remind us of the importance of staying alert and taking decisive steps to prevent potential hazards. Our commitment to safety remains unwavering through the Good Catch program.
At InfraSource, safety isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a way of life. The Good Catch program was put in place as a testament to InfraSource’s dedication to safety and The Capacity Model. Our team must consistently demonstrate close attention to detail, professionalism, and systematic approaches to identifying hazards.
Several field crews have recently gone above and beyond to make a “Good Catch.” These efforts not only ensured everyone’s safety by eliminating hazards but also helped build the capacity to fail safely.
Our first Good Catch program success story comes from one of our electric foremen. One seemingly normal day, while the crew was at work, he noticed something off about a nearby power pole. He went to check out the scene and quickly realized an old secondary service line was disconnected from a nearby garage. He immediately alerted the client and crew of this unsafe condition. His crew then properly de-energized the line, as there were live, exposed connections about four feet above the ground, and ultimately disconnected the service cable.
Next is an instance from one of our recent projects which was aimed at replacing a tangent-structured pole for a new recloser installation. As our crew was taking a job walk, not knowing what they would discover, they identified a deteriorated cross-arm brace on one of the adjacent power poles. One of the foremen rushed to warn the utility construction manager of this hazard. The crew then took corrective measures to clear the hazard, which, left untouched, would have posed a serious threat.
Lastly, we had a situation that occurred while our team was working on a double-circuit power pole. The crew promptly recognized that the adjacent power pole conductor needed to be correctly secured to the top of the porcelain insulator. This crew was quick to react, as they immediately exercised “Stop Work” authority. This allowed them to assess the situation, regroup, and then securely fasten the phase, which prevented costly unscheduled outages.
These prime examples of the Good Catch program highlight the true importance of having such programs in place. The Good Catch program isn’t just about preventing accidents; it’s about fostering a safety-first culture.
Join us in celebrating Dewayne Ward, honored as DCA’s 2023 Safety Person of the Year! This prestigious award recognizes exceptional safety leadership across various domains. Whether spearheading innovative safety initiatives, implementing effective programs in the workplace, or positively impacting the community, recipients like Dewayne Ward exemplify dedication to safety excellence.
Dewayne, an accomplished professional with over three decades of experience in the natural gas industry, started his career as a laborer. Through dedication, hard work, and a strong commitment to safety, he progressed from operator to general foreman, superintendent, area manager and ultimately became the Director of Operations.
Dewayne’s safety leadership shines through his unwavering commitment to being present in the field, regardless of competing business demands. Recognizing establishing and nurturing a safe work culture hinges on frontline employees, Dewayne directs the majority of his efforts toward them. His time spent on job sites—discussing hazards, implementing effective controls, fostering resilience in the face of challenges, and providing insights into the rationale behind field work—reinforces his commitment to employee safety and well-being.
One of Dewayne’s main focuses has been implementing safe driving techniques. As a result, he has personally overseen several safety initiatives that have improved the safety culture at InfraSource. Dewayne’s commitment to safe driving extends beyond the workplace to employees commuting daily. As a result, overall safety and well-being have improved, and at-fault vehicle incidents have decreased.
Dewayne’s remarkable contributions have significantly enhanced safety within the natural gas industry. His commitment to safety and quality has garnered respect and admiration from colleagues and peers alike. His lasting impact on the industry makes him the well-deserved recipient of the 2023 DCA Safety Person of the Year Award.
