POWERGRAMS

TARGET ZERO Wesley Flowers may have been among thousands in Alabama on a diving board one recent steamy July morning but, then again, he was nowhere near the water. The lineman demonstrated at the annual Safety Renewal how the board is used to reach awkward locations on a transmission structure. When a bucket truck can't get close enough for repairs, the diving board and a hook ladder allow linemen to reach otherwise inaccessible power structures. "We go anywhere from 100 to 150 feet high – it's the most comfortable work I do," said Flowers. "The first time I got on a diving board during training, I loved it. It's fun to be off the ground working on a structure." Flowers' diving-board demonstration was just one of the key takeaways for Transmission employees from across the state on July 22-23 in Clanton. They celebrated successes and renewed their commitment to safety at Jefferson State Community College's Conference and Performing Arts Center. "Our safety renewal is an opportunity for us to take a midyear timeout and renew our focus on what matters most: our safety," said Danica Connell, Transmission Safety Renewal Committee chairwoman. "The demonstrations give us a chance to learn about each other's work and consider some of the challenges we each face in our day-to-day jobs." The renewal demonstrated some of the work line crews perform daily, including a discussion of safety aspects for each task. Activities included mock 115-kilovolt H-frame line simulated wire stringing, installing a compression dead-in, energized hot stick and gloving work, and hook ladder and platform work. Power Delivery Safety & Training employees demonstrated motor operative devices and crane simulator trailers, illustrating how substation lines crews save time renewing their crane operator certifications. Safety is the primary advantage of using a simulator instead of a crane. "All Transmission Lines and Substation employees who are subject to operating a mobile crane (boom truck) are required to be certified due to an OSHA Standard. The crane simulator offers employees an opportunity to practice their performance skills through a safe environment prior to actually operating a mobile crane," said John Anderson, Safety & Training specialist. Employees also got a glimpse of future technology that will eventually replace techniques that come with risk. Motivational speaker and best-selling author Lee Shelby shared his story of being injured while working as a lineman in Tennessee. Shelby lost both hands and spent 23 days in an intensive care burn unit. He discussed the consequences he faces 14 years later because he did not follow safety regulations. Safety continues to be Alabama Power's No. 1 priority, said Shelby, and is the first consideration in any decision employees make. By Nancy Prater Safety Transmission 2 Power Delivery Transmission Lines-Construction Lineman Wesley Flowers works from a "diving board" during a safety demonstration. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha ON THE COVER: ANNUAL GATHERING CELEBRATES SUCCESS, RENEWS COMMITMENTS Flowers and Adam Pate demonstrated safe techniques for repairing power lines. Linemen Jason Koons, Justin Peterson at Safety Renewal. Anderson demonstrates crane simulator. Photos by Karim Shamsi-Basha

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