Mindset, Briefing & PPE
Safety Starts Before the First Tool Leaves the Truck
Hardline and aerial plant work stack hazards: traffic, height, weather, energized equipment, and the public. The safest crews treat the first five minutes of every stop as part of the job — not optional paperwork.
A pre-job briefing is short and spoken out loud: What are we doing? What can hurt us? What controls do we have? Who is watching traffic or the public? What is the out if conditions change?
Two-minute job briefing
- 1State the ticket task and the access method (ladder, bucket, ground pedestal only)
- 2Name the top hazards: traffic, power, weather, slips, public, animals, dogs
- 3Confirm PPE and tools match the task — hard hat, eye/hand protection, footwear, hi-vis as required
- 4Assign roles: who climbs, who spots, who controls traffic if needed
- 5Agree the stop-work trigger: if anyone is unsure, work pauses
Core PPE check
- Head & eyes
- Hard hat and safety glasses (side shields) when required by company or site rules
- Hands & feet
- Task gloves and sturdy work boots with traction; electrical gloves only when trained and required
- Visibility
- Hi-vis vest/shirt in traffic or low-light conditions per local procedure
- Hearing / face
- Hearing protection and face shield when grinding, cutting, or high-noise tasks demand it
- Condition
- Cracked lenses, frayed straps, and oil-soaked gloves are out of service — replace before use
Stop-work authority
Every tech has the right and duty to stop work when a hazard is uncontrolled. Stopping is not a failure — continuing when you are unsure is. Escalate to a lead or supervisor; never skip a control to save time.