DAPHNE, AL. May 10, 2022 – Safety is a top priority at Riviera Utilities—a public utility company serving Eastern Shore, central, and south Baldwin county communities—and year-round safety training can take on several different formats, depending on the utility.
On Tuesday, May 10, Riviera Utilities’ broadband and electric service workers participated in a training exercise in which they practiced quickly and safely rescuing an employee who had been incapacitated while working on a utility pole or in a bucket truck.
“We conduct safety meetings throughout the year to keep employees aware of hazardous situations, Robby Howard, line crew supervisor said, “but in this particular emergency, practicing the skills and techniques every year is the best way to learn to react immediately and potentially save a life.”
Howard said the goal is for the total rescue from the pole to be four minutes or less, and then start CPR. All Riviera broadband and electric workers are trained and certified in CPR, first aid, and the use of AEDs.
While first responders are called as soon as the scene is secure, Howard said that in a pole top emergency, “we would be expected to self-rescue. Once the scene is safe and the worker is on the ground, we rely on EMS.”
Approximately 20 broadband and electric services’ workers participated in Tuesday’s training in Daphne, and approximately 40 received the training in Foley.
-30-
