JANUARY HAZARD-OF-THE-MONTH

949 Lewelling, San Leandro

On December 11, 2007, it was safe to ascend and work aloft on the AT&T terminal located at 949 Lewelling in San Leandro. This all changed when the contractors arrived on December 12. They came to place one of the BUGS units that we’re so familiar with. The distance from the terminal was good but our ability to work safe was removed. All of the existing pole steps that had allowed for a safe climb and that provided work steps in our work space were removed.

The pole was restepped in such a manner that it is now impossible to ascend to our workspace without using gaffs (hooks). Now that they have run a power line down the pole in our workspace with multiple conduits, they want us to gaff the pole!! Even a ladder, set on this busy street would be awkward (unsafe) with the BUGS on the same side of the pole as the terminal. And the exposed ground wire doesn’t make you fell any safer either.

All this nonsense takes place when there is no Telco terminal on the very next pole!! Contractors with this type of wanton disregard for our safety are precisely part of the reason that we demand that this work be done by union workers. Standards need to be clear and enforced!

Pole Hazard Power Point Presentation