PLH GROUP NEWS
PLH Group Discusses Hot Issue During Safe + Sound Week
Date: August 12, 2019
PLH Group, Inc. and its eleven entities situated throughout North America, are partnering with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other participating companies throughout the nation in 2019’s Safe + Sound Week. Held August 12 -18, Safe + Sound Week celebrates successful health and safety programs while encouraging workplaces throughout the United States to establish, improve, or energize programs to keep all workers safe each and every day. PLH Group has proudly participated in past Safe + Sound Week celebrations and awareness opportunities, as well as prioritizes effective health and safety programs throughout all entities year-round. During Safe + Sound Week, PLH Group pauses to focus on a variety of important safety topics, including common fire and wildland fire safety.
From airborne services to ground and system testing, PLH Group entities Power Line Services, Edison Power Constructors, Auger Services, Air2, R.B. Hinkle Construction, TESSCO Energy Services, TTR Substations, and Sun-Electric Services provide full-service power line construction and specialty contract work for electric power line markets. Their services are especially relied upon during times of emergencies and the aftermath of natural disasters, often restoring electricity to communities at the risk of potential fires. That is why it is crucial that PLH Group entities’ health and safety programs include thorough and comprehensive fire safety awareness and prevention.
Whether caught near a wildfire, involved in a construction project, or performing routine household work, PLH Group encourages workers to understand and practice fire safety and prevention tactics, including:
- Preparedness is crucial in fire prevention. According to the American Red Cross, the four top fire safety tips are installing smoke alarms, routinely maintaining smoke alarms, creating and practicing fire escape plans, and getting out and staying out of a burning building.
- Avoid carelessness that may cause wildfires. With approximately 90% of its employees working at remote locations each day, PLH Group and its employees must be extremely cautious of wildfires. Most wildfires are ignited by carelessness, such as throwing a lit cigarette out the window. Properly prepare your property to minimize risk of wildfire. PLH Group employees driving trucks should never drive off a right-of-way into high grass or weeds. The truck’s catalytic converter could potentially ignite the grass and cause a fire. Additionally, workers performing welding or hot work must ensure to have a fire watch and extinguisher readily available. Extinguishers should be full at all times, meaning they must be refilled immediately after use.
- Understand when and how to fight a fire. Do not try to be a hero. Immediately call 9-1-1, and exit the building or area. Only use fire extinguishers until help arrives (see OSHA Standards) if you understand how to appropriately use it and if the fire is in its infant stage, also referred to as an incipient fire. Additionally, ensure you can always safely access a clear exit.
- Seek professional help. It is important to understand how to protect yourself and others from burns, smoke inhalation, and other fire-related hazards through tips from the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC). For specific fire disaster information– including responder safety and recovery– seek advice from professionals, such as the Disaster Information Management Research Center.
Fire prevention and awareness tactics are unique to location, audience, and potential hazards. PLH Group routinely discusses the topic and preventative measures to ensure its workers remain safe. During OSHA’s 2019 Safe + Sound Week, make time to discuss specific fire prevention and safety measures at your work and home.
