PGW Recognizes June as National Safety Month
Posted on: Jun 12, 2024Safety is the foundation of PGW’s operations. PGW is joining the National Safety Council to recognize June as National Safety Month. PGW’s unwavering commitment to safety goes well beyond the 30 days in June.
PGW is using this month as a reminder to its customers, employees, and residents of Philadelphia to work together to prevent accidents, injuries or death.
As part of the monthlong observance, each week of June is focused on a specific safety topic.
Here is how PGW puts these safety measures into practice!
Week 1: Safety Engagement: Commitment to Calling 811 Before You Dig
Calling 811 ahead of any excavation project is not just the safe thing to do, it’s the law. PGW reminds contractors and residents to call 811 or visit pa1call.org, before underground excavation (digging) or any building demolition work, regardless of a project’s size. PA One Call notifies all possible affected property owners to mark out their underground structures ahead of evacuation or demolition work. PGW, in coordination with 811, processes the requests and marks lines to prevent injuries, property damage, and inconvenient and costly utility outages.
Week 2: Roadway Safety: Practice Situational Awareness
PGW crews follow Work Zone Safety and remind you to:
STAY ALERT: Avoid distractions (phone, radio, or eating).
DON'T TAILGATE: Maintain a safe distance between the vehicle in front of you.
SLOW DOWN: Travel below posted speed limit.
FOLLOW DIRECTIONS: Flaggers and signs will guide you on the proper route.
Week 3: Risk Reduction and Improving Air Quality: PGW’S High-Tech Tools Enhance Natural Gas Pipeline Safety
Optical Methane Detection (OMD) technology is a removable apparatus attached to the front of PGW vehicles utilizing laser technology that detects the presence of methane (which is lighter and less dense than air) as PGW technicians drive along neighborhood streets. If methane is suspected, an alert is sent to a monitor mounted in the vehicle. PGW's specially trained technicians will then walk the area with a handheld gas detection instrument that pinpoints the near-exact location of possible methane release.
Week 4: Slips, Trips and Falls: Worksite Safety
At any time of day or night, PGW crews are working along the narrow, densely populated streets of Philadelphia, often with little separation between their worksite and vehicular traffic. PGW reminds motorists that driving slowly, carefully, and alertly through a work zone is important for their health and well-being, and for workers’ safety.
PGW work zones are identifiable by highly visible utility work ahead signs, bright branded orange traffic cones, PGW branded vehicles, as well as white and orange reflective barricades along the perimeter of the site.
Keep in mind that safety is important from the workplace to anyplace. The more you practice safety the more you protect yourself and those around you.
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