RE-marks Archive

"Today, many utilities still have lines that crisscross private property and farmland. Unfortunately, these lines that have served so well for so long now can pose a significant liability exposure."

"One of the more common damage claims we see in our national insurance program is damage to fixtures and utilities buried underground on member-consumers’ property."

"In addition to the human consequences, accidents involving off-road vehicles (dirt bikes, snow mobiles or ATVs) may open utilities to significant public liability exposure - even if their equipment (poles, guy wires, etc.) meets code requirements in every way."

Ignoring the issue of consumer-side defects can turn out to be a very costly decision. In fact, the failure to observe open and obvious defects, or worse yet, the failure to respond to all reports of potentially dangerous situations, can be disastrous.

"This article offers an overview of what an effective case management program looks like, an explanation of the potential benefits to you as an employer, suggestions on some practical ideas you may want to try, and an explanation of why each of the elements is important to creating and implementing an effective case management program."

"Our seminars are very management-oriented, not technical. I don’t think I heard the term “OSHA” or anything like that even once over the 2½ days."

"One utility came up with a simple and inexpensive technique to make sure that there was one last chance to be sure that no medically dependent consumer was ever disconnected by mistake."

"To me that means every person who works in a utility’s engineering department or has outside system inspection responsibilities should be educated about roadside hazards."

"As a change of pace, this article is something we don’t highlight enough, a case where the claims people offered their congratulations after reviewing a claim report. So, here’s a chance to learn from a case where things were done right!"

"As part of the value-added services your company gains by being insured in our national program for utilities, we offer safety management training sessions on topics you may not find readily available from other support organizations."

All tower and guys should be secured against both public access and accidental vehicle intrusion. The loss of only a single guy can unbalance the load on a tower and bring it rapidly to the ground.

"OSHA has made a major overhaul of the requirements for the recording and reporting of work-related injuries. These changes are effective this New Year’s Day, January 1, 2002."

"Shouldn't the perceived need to create a special incentive program become a big red flag that something isn't quite right about the company's management skills or style?"

"When we finished sorting and assessing our list, we were able to create a new, simpler, definitely shorter driver's accident scene guide."

"To help your new supervisors successfully make the transition from being a "worker" to becoming an effective leader, it is important that you provide some initial training and spend time with them reviewing and developing six key skills every supervisor needs."

"One of the utilities insured in our program recently shared their sample worksite inspection reminder list. We thought some of you might find it useful."

"If there is no insurance coverage available for the contractor, or if the limits of the policy are too low to cover the loss, where do you think the shortfall will be made up? If you said from the hiring company's policy, you are exactly right!"

"There are times when Mother Nature ... causes wide spread system damage that demands resources beyond your own capabilities."

"The logical goal of inspections is to spot potential issues and schedule appropriate fixes before they cause serious problems."

" Just a little effort can easily prevent objects from falling off of utility trucks."

"We have discovered two recurring problems experienced by rural utilities we work with in our program - woodpecker damage and large nests on the top of poles."

This program, as extensive and intensive as it is, must be one of the best values around for professional development.

"Your utility should not be focused on doing anything just to provide a defense for claims or lawsuits or to satisfy the insurance companies."

"The objective of proper mirror adjustment is to give you a 360-degree view of other vehicles near your car."

"Finding all the contributing factors behind an accident or mishap takes a little sifting of the information. To help, we have taught supervisors how to use a technique we call 'back-tracking' or the 'Why Flow Chart'."