Hampton Tedder Incident Overview
On December 12, 2022 a Hampton Tedder 2nd step apprentice was using a Sawzall to cut conduit strap nails to disengage a communication riser cable from the pole that was to be removed and replaced. During the process of making these cuts, the apprentice cut through his safety rope lanyard, causing him to fall approximately 10 feet to the ground.
The work taking place was being observed by the Foreman on the ground, two linemen in a bucket and a groundman on the ground assisting him. Additionally, the chief union representative from IBEW Local 47 was visiting the jobsite that night and was onsite at the pole which the apprentice was climbing. The Foreman, lineman and groundman all report they saw the Apprentice using his buck-squeeze fall restraint system while climbing up the pole. The groundman reported that the Apprentice 2 ascended slowly up the pole because of the communication risers attached to the pole. Once the Apprentice got into position to start removing nails, the groundman raised the Sawzall to him. Approximately at the 10’ level on the pole the Apprentice 2 repositioned himself on the pole and began cutting with only his rope lanyard in place and accidentally cut through his rope lanyard. The lineman apprentice fell to the ground. The foreman immediately called an all stop and attended to the injured employee.
Hampton Tedder Critical Actions Requiring Peer Check
It is a longstanding best practice in linework to peer-check your pole partners’ work and communicate this with 3-way communication. For example; Lineman 1; “on a phase!”, lineman 2; “you’re on a phase.” Lineman 1; “coming on with a mac.” Lineman 2; “your good to come hot.” And so on. We believe this principle can be applied to critical tasks outside of hot work. This is a best practice already in use on many line crews today. Hampton Tedder is taking this concept one step further by making peer-check with 3-way communication a requirement when performing critical tasks.
Best practice of 3-way communication shall be required on all critical tasks including: (1) Any cutting (2) Making and breaking connections (3) Anytime applying strain to rigging (4) Moving Wire
The Purpose: Three-way Communication
The purpose of effective communication is to ensure understanding between two or more people. It is an important defense in the prevention of errors that can result in incidents. While the effects of mishaps due to ineffective communication will differ, the unfortunate organization can find itself facing legal, regulatory and financial consequences, and its people dealing with a significant emotional event as a result of a lost teammate.
How it works: three-way communication
The purpose of effective communication is to ensure understanding between two or more people. It is an important defense in the prevention of errors that can result in incidents. While the effects of mishaps due to ineffective communication will differ, the unfortunate organization can find itself facing legaThe repeat-back process – sometimes referred to as three-way communication – is also used in the electrical utility industry, typically in situations when workers are not face to face and must talk to each other via radio, telephone or similar technology. If your organization hasn’t already implemented this form of communication, safety managers should strongly consider doing so in the near future. By making the tool part of the fabric of your communication culture, employees can help to prevent the undesirable consequences that may result if an important message is not accurately transmitted or received., regulatory and financial consequences, and its people dealing with a significant emotional event as a result of a lost teammate. In three-way communication, the sender (a worker) first orally states his or her message to the receiver (typically another worker) clearly and concisely. For instance, the sender may direct the receiver to take an action, such as altering a piece of equipment that could impact the crew’s safety. Next, the receiver acknowledges the communication by repeating the message to the sender. The receiver does not need to repeat every part of the communication verbatim, but he or she must restate any critical information exactly as it was stated by the sender. If the receiver does not understand the sender’s message, he or she must ask for clarification. Finally, the sender acknowledges the receiver’s reply and verbally confirms to the receiver that the message is correct and properly understood. If the sender does not understand the receiver’s reply, the sender must verbally indicate that the two parties do not understand each other, and then the repeat-back process must start again from the beginning.
Tool usage and at-risk practices
There are an infinite number of situations in which it is applicable, including during task assignments that impact equipment or activities, the safety of personnel, the environment or the electrical grid. For instance, it is ideal for workers to use the repeat-back process during switching activities, when communicating the conditions of equipment, when communicating the value of an important rule, and during operation or alteration of equipment.
Be aware, however, that although three-way communication is an excellent, highly effective tool that can reduce the possibility of an incident occurring on a job site, there can also be risks associated with its use, such as:
• The sender stating too much information or multiple actions in one message. Messages should be kept concise and focus on one action or task at a time.
• The sender not providing enough information for the receiver to understand the message.
• The sender not verifying that the receiver clearly understands the message. Verification is critical to the repeat-back process.
• The sender using the word “incorrect.” Because “incorrect” contains the word “correct,” use of either term may confuse the receiver if he or she is having a hard time understanding the sender. It is better to use the words “right” and “wrong” – or similar words or phrases – than “correct” and “incorrect.”
• The receiver failing to ask for clarification of the message, if needed.
• The receiver taking action before the repeat-back process is complete.
• The receiver being mentally preoccupied with another task.