Aug 19, 2021 | Safety and Security
Students are heading back to school in a few short weeks. And in some school districts, this is the first time students have hopped on a school bus or been in a physical classroom in almost 18 months!
One thing is for sure – we can all use a refresher on back-to-school safety.
Whether your little ones are starting school for the first time or teenagers are embarking on their high school journey, these simple tips will help you keep them safe all throughout the year:
- Choose a backpack carefully and encourage children to wear both straps so the weight of all their books and school supplies are evenly distributed.
- If your children walk to school, remind them to walk on the sidewalk. If there are no sidewalks, they should walk facing traffic.
- Driving? Make sure to obey school zone speed limits and follow your school’s drop-off policy.
- Be alert for pedestrians and students crossing the street, especially before sunrise.
- Encounter a bus on your commute? Stay at least 10 feet away from any school bus that’s stopped with its stop sign extended and red lights flashing. Do not proceed until the stop arm is withdrawn, lights stop flashing and students are all safe.
For more safety tips, visit the National Safety Council.
Have a great school year!
Aug 18, 2021 | Safety and Security
George Culbertson didn’t think twice when he came upon a horrific vehicle crash on Interstate 476 in Montgomery County.
On his way home from work, the field supervisor and third-generation firefighter did what he has so many times before. First, he used his Montgomery County radio to alert a dispatcher to the crash and the need for emergency help. Then, he rushed to the mangled vehicle to see how he could help whoever was inside.
And the driver, who was alone in the vehicle, was in dire need of help.
Drifting in and out of consciousness, the driver was trapped. He suffered serious injuries, including an amputated arm. Culbertson managed to get into the rear of the vehicle to speak to the man, assess his condition and the extent of his injuries, and ask a nurse, who happened to be at the accident scene, to immobilize his head and neck.
“Time was of the essence,” said Culbertson, who knew how critical it was to get the man medical help within the “golden hour” after the crash.
He contacted the rescue company and explained the man could not be taken out of the car without removing the doors and roof. Once they arrived, Culbertson grabbed a reciprocating saw and started removing the windshield. It took more than 40 minutes to remove the roof and doors using the Jaws of Life and get the victim safely into a medical helicopter to be transported to the hospital.
Culbertson was later informed that the man had his amputated arm surgically reattached at a trauma center.
Looking back on the day’s events, it was one of the worst vehicle crash scenes that he has ever seen in his 31 years as a volunteer firefighter.
“I just wanted to do the right thing,” he said. “I hope I gave this person the best chance of survival during what was probably the worst day of his life.”
We’re so proud of George’s heroic response.
Jul 26, 2021 | Safety and Security
Do you intend to plant trees, shrubs or flower beds in your yard or start up a backyard construction project in the near future? If so, be sure to call 811 before you start!
Make the call, for your safety and the safety of others.
Everyone should make the 811 call before any digging project. It costs you nothing, it’s simple and it doesn’t take much time. Plus, it may help prevent a serious injury and costly damages to underground utilities like power or water lines.
Each year, there are about 6,000 reports of underground utilities being struck in Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. And every year, PPL receives reports of about 60 to 75 digging incidents in which the person doing the digging failed to call 811.
What’s more, it’s the law. In Pennsylvania, you’re required to place an 811 call three business days before any digging that is done by power equipment like Bobcats, front-end loaders, power augers, rototillers, and aerators. We recommend that you place a call before any digging project, even if it’s with an old-fashioned shovel.
Once you place the call, a crew will come out and use spray paint, flags or other identifiers to show areas where underground utilities exist. And if you notice a digging project going on in your neighborhood and are unsure whether an 811 call was placed in advance, make the call just to be sure.
When you make an 811 call, please be prepared to provide the following information:
- County and municipality in which the planned dig is located.
- The street name and address.
- The nearest intersecting/cross street to the address.
- Details of the dig site, including the area of the property where excavation will occur and what kind of work is being done.
- When the project is scheduled to take place.
- The name of the company doing the work (if applicable).
For more info about the Call Before You Dig law, visit pa811.org. And for more safety info, visit pplelectric.com/safety.
Jul 14, 2021 | Community Involvement
Keeping the lights on for everyone- in the heat and the cold, when it’s raining or snowing, or even on a blue sky day – is no easy task.
Working in the field requires agility, strength and focus, and commitment to safety above all else.
Earlier this summer, 10 of our lineworkers put their skills to the test in the 9th annual Lineman Rodeo, organized by the National Sisterhood United for Journeyman Linemen (NSUJL), in Hazleton. The two-day event raised money for the families of fallen or injured IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) lineworkers and other electric utility employees.
The PPL crew participated in several events that test their skills against colleagues from utilities, including Speed Climb, Hurtman Rescue, and others. Our linemen and their teams placed in six of the events.
Congratulations to all the competitors!
Jun 30, 2021 | Safety and Security
Safety is a core value for us at PPL. Because of that, we have many procedures in place to keep employees safe on the job. One particular safety procedure, referred to as “circle for safety,” requires that employees check the surroundings of their company vehicle before getting in and driving away.
Recently, one of our dedicated lineworkers, Joe Keeney Jr., prevented the loss of an animal’s life by circling his work vehicle for safety.
It all started with an unidentified noise…
Joe heard a strange sound coming from his vehicle and couldn’t figure out what it was. He saw nothing unsafe or unusual, but as he stepped back and paused, he heard the noise again. However, he was still unable to locate where the strange sound was coming from.
He enlisted the help of a coworker to see if there was something he missed. As the two examined the vehicle, they heard the noise again, but this time they identified the source.
As it turns out, Joe’s work truck had picked up a furry hitchhiker. A small kitten crawled underneath the truck and up onto the drive shaft to stay warm.
And boy was this kitten a cute one! For those wondering, Joe and his wife, Laura, adopted the kitten and named it Kilowatt.
We’re so proud of Joe for his questioning attitude, safety mindset, and vigilance, which ultimately saved Kilowatt’s life.
