Utility Safety Authority was born out of the need to validate the most important aspects of the work performed by the field worker - Safety.  

We were often presented with two scenarios:

• the craft worker moves from the field to a safety position, bringing years of craft knowledge 

• a  safety person enters the field, bringing Safety expertise while learning the craft while on the job.  

Since everyone learns differently, it was important for me, as a Safety Director, to validate the safety knowledge that was learned and to ensure that the employee understood the full scope of the work instead of just what their expertise is.  

True story - a Lineman that was working in a Field Safety position was training an experienced Operator that had taken safety classes and was joining the Field Safety team.  While performing a crew audit at a jobsite, the Safety Lineman was explaining to the Safety Operator how the work would be done at the top of the pole.  The Safety Lineman was helpful in explaining the construction steps in the energized zone, but was only focused on the construction.  The Safety Operator looked at the entire jobsite and noticed that a Groundman was approaching the truck bins while the aerial boom was near the energized lines.  The Safety Operator notified the Safety Lineman and an All Stop was quickly called - potentially saving a life that day. 

This is when validation of the Field Safety person’s knowledge became important.  I searched for craft worker Field Level certification options, but most sites were targeted toward Safety Leadership, OSHA, and the things that I needed to know as a leader.  Very little was available to validate the knowledge of the Field Safety worker. 

The craft workers have skill sets that can’t be replaced.  Moving them into a safety position is a benefit for everyone.  It’s important to be sure they are reviewing crew audits and the job of safety in a way that keeps everyone safe at all times.