September 2024
Cold weather safety for utility workers: Essential tips for the winter months
By Jackson Sash, Utilities Field Rep./Training Coordinator
As winter approaches, utility workers across various fields –whether maintaining electrical lines, managing water and wastewater systems, or working in landfill operations – must prepare for the unique challenges that cold weather presents. Cold stress can significantly impact not only personal health but also the efficiency and safety of operations. With icy winds, snow, freezing temperatures, and wet conditions, the risks associated with winter work are heightened, making it essential for workers to be informed and prepared. Cold stress is a serious concern when the body cannot maintain its normal temperature due to exposure to freezing or wet conditions. This can lead to several dangerous conditions, such as hypothermia, frostbite, and trench foot. Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below the level necessary for basic bodily functions. Symptoms can include shivering, fatigue, confusion, loss of coordination, and, in severe cases, unconsciousness. Frostbite typically affects extremities such as the fingers, toes, nose, and ears, leading to numbness, tingling, and severe tissue damage if not promptly treated. Trench foot, a condition resulting from
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prolonged exposure to wet and cold environments, can cause pain, swelling, and even permanent damage to nerves and tissues. These health risks can easily escalate if not identified and addressed early. The first line of defense against cold stress is proper clothing. Dressing in layers is one of the most effective strategies to stay warm in fluctuating temperatures. Layers trap heat while allowing for easy removal or addition of clothing as conditions change. The innermost layer should be moisture-wicking to keep sweat away from the skin, preventing chills. The middle layer serves as insulation, trapping warm air close to the body. Finally, the outer layer should be both windproof and waterproof to protect against wind chill and moisture, whether from precipitation or water-based work environments. Specialized gloves, boots, and hats designed for cold weather are essential to protect extremities. Waterproof and insulated footwear is particularly important to avoid wet, cold feet that can lead to frostbite or trench foot, while insulated gloves help maintain hand dexterity and warmth, essential for handling tools and equipment.
However, clothing alone is not enough to safeguard against the challenges of winter work. The cold also affects the tools and equipment utility workers rely on. In freezing conditions, tools can become brittle, machinery may malfunction, and equipment that functions well in milder weather can become hazardous to use. Cold also can reduce the effectiveness of lubricants and fuels, leading to slower or inefficient operation of essential machines. It is important that equipment is regularly inspected and properly maintained to ensure it functions safely during cold weather. Workers also should be mindful of their own decreased dexterity when using tools and operating machinery, taking extra care to avoid accidents caused by stiff hands or numb fingers. Work practices also must be adjusted to account for the harsh winter conditions. Scheduling regular breaks in heated areas allows workers to warm up, recover from exposure, and prevent the onset of cold stress. These breaks
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Lash Chaffin Utilities Section Director Jackson Sash
Utilities Section Newsletter
Cold weather safety for utility workers
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should be taken more frequently as the temperature drops or if workers are in wet environments, as the combination of cold and moisture accelerates heat loss. Workers also should be aware of the importance of staying hydrated in cold weather. While dehydration is often associated with heat, it is just as much of a risk in cold weather due to increased respiratory moisture loss, coupled with the body’s reduced thirst response in cold environments. Proper nutrition is another key factor – workers need to consume enough calories to fuel their bodies, which burn more energy just to stay warm. In addition to hydration and nutrition, emergency preparedness is a critical component of cold weather safety. Utility workers often operate in isolated areas or in harsh outdoor environments, where immediate help may not always be available. All workers should be trained to recognize the symptoms of cold stress and be equipped to handle emergencies if they arise. Supervisors must ensure that workers know the signs of hypothermia, frostbite, and trench
foot, and that they understand how to provide first aid. Every worksite should be equipped with the necessary supplies for cold-related emergencies, including thermal blankets, heating pads, and warm fluids. In severe weather, having contingency plans in place, such as rescheduling work or rotating crews more frequently, can make all the difference in maintaining worker safety. Additionally, workers should use a buddy system when working in extreme conditions, regularly checking on one another to ensure no one is showing signs of cold stress without realizing it. Finally, regular communication and training are essential to maintain awareness of cold weather risks. Safety briefings that focus on winter hazards should be a regular part of the routine during the colder months. Workers should
be encouraged to speak up if they feel unsafe or experience symptoms of cold stress. Supervisors should monitor weather conditions closely and adjust work plans as needed, keeping the safety of their team as a top priority.
Winter work for utility workers can be tough, but with the right preparation, the risks posed by cold stress can be minimized. Wearing proper clothing, using wellmaintained equipment, adopting smart work practices, and having a strong focus on safety protocols will allow workers to stay safe and productive during the winter months. Staying vigilant, knowing the signs of cold-related illnesses, and adjusting based on weather conditions will keep the entire team healthy and capable of providing the essential services communities rely on—no matter how cold it gets.
Utilities Section members only
Do you have equipment to sell or a position to fill? Place your ad in the Classifieds section of the Utilities Section Newsletter and on our website for free. This service is a
membership benefit. Contact Brenda at the League office at 402-476-2829, fax to 402-476-7052, or email your ad to brendah@lonm.org.
Utilities Section Newsletter
SAFETY/HEALTH CORNER
Emergency preparedness for utilities: why it matters and how to get started
By Jackson Sash, Utilities Field Rep./Training Coordinator
In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, municipal utilities – whether in water, wastewater, electric, or natural gas – serve as the backbone of modern infrastructure. When emergencies strike, from natural disasters to cyberattacks, utility services are among the most critical to maintaining public safety and order. As a utility, ensuring your organization is prepared for potential crises is not just an operational priority but a public duty. Here’s why emergency preparedness is essential and how to start building resilience today. Why emergency preparedness is critical for municipal utilities
1. Ensures continuity of essential services.
Municipal utilities provide lifelines that communities depend on: clean water, electricity, gas, and wastewater management. In an emergency, the uninterrupted delivery of these services is crucial.
Having a robust emergency plan can help mitigate service disruptions, ensuring that essential functions continue even in the midst of a disaster.
2. Protects critical infrastructure. Water treatment plants, power grids, and gas pipelines are not just assets—they are critical components of public health and safety. Emergency preparedness plans help safeguard these infrastructures from damage during events like floods, wildfires, hurricanes, or equipment failures, minimizing both shortterm outages and long-term harm.
3. Reduces financial and legal risks.
In the event of a disaster, delays in service restoration can result in financial losses and legal liabilities. Preparedness can help limit damage and speed up recovery, reducing the risk of regulatory penalties and the financial impact of lengthy outages or service interruptions.
4. Supports public trust and reputation.
Municipal utilities are often looked to as pillars of stability
during emergencies. A wellprepared organization that is capable of maintaining services and communicating effectively with customers and stakeholders can bolster public trust. On the other hand, unpreparedness can result in reputational damage, with long-term effects on customer relationships. In addition to a general emergency response plan, some regulatory agencies such as HHS require emergency response plans specific to the utility that they regulate.
Key steps for municipal utility preparedness
1. Develop a Comprehensive Emergency Response Plan. Every municipal utility should have a detailed emergency response plan that addresses various potential crises—natural disasters, cyberattacks, equipment failures, and more. Key elements of the plan should include:
- Clear protocols for assessing and responding to threats;
- Evacuation and shelter-in-place
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Engineering a world where everyone thrives.
Utilities Section Newsletter
Emergency preparedness for utilities
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strategies for staff;
- Chain of command and roles of personnel in emergency situations;
- Communication plans for internal teams, regulatory agencies, and the public; and
- Backup systems and resources to maintain critical operations. It is essential that all emergency plans are coordinated with the County Emergency Manager and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency to ensure that Chain of Command, Communication Plans, Shelter, and Backup Systems Plans are consistent with the local National Incident Management Planning System (NIMS) emergency planning efforts. Also, it is imperative that persons involved in the municipal emergency plans have the appropriate NIMS training. If you have any questions about NIMS training, please contact our office.
2. Invest in redundant systems and backup resources.
A key aspect of preparedness is ensuring that vital systems have redundancies in place. Backup generators, alternative water sources, or even pre-arranged contracts with third-party suppliers
can provide temporary relief in the event of a system failure. Regularly test these systems to ensure they function as intended during an emergency.
3. Establish clear communication channels.
Effective communication is critical during emergencies. Municipal utilities must ensure that both internal teams and external stakeholders are kept informed in real time. This can include:
- Crisis communication protocols
- Emergency hotlines or customer alert systems
- Regular updates via websites, social media, and local media outlets
Maintaining transparency with customers about expected service outages, repair timelines, and safety measures can help prevent panic and maintain trust.
4. Train and drill regularly. Conduct regular emergency drills and training for employees to ensure everyone is familiar with the response plan and their specific roles. Scenario-based training for various emergencies—from extreme weather events to data breaches—helps staff react swiftly and confidently when real crises occur.
5. Collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies.
No utility operates in isolation. Collaborating with government agencies, emergency responders, and other utility providers ensures that your organization can respond to large-scale disasters more effectively. Partner with local emergency management offices, establish mutual aid agreements with neighboring utilities, and participate in regional disaster response exercises.
6. Identify vulnerabilities and conduct regular risk assessments. Emergency preparedness is an ongoing process. Conduct regular assessments of your facilities, infrastructure, and systems to identify vulnerabilities. Whether it’s evaluating the risk of physical damage to your infrastructure or assessing cybersecurity weaknesses, understanding potential threats allows you to address them before they become critical.
Special considerations for municipal utilities
1. Critical personnel and remote operations.
During emergencies, some employees may need to stay onsite or work remotely depending
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At HDR, we're helping our clients push open the doors to what's possible, every
Emergency preparedness for utilities
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2. Cybersecurity preparedness.
Municipal utilities are prime targets for cyberattacks. Beyond physical disasters, ensure your emergency preparedness plan includes protocols for responding to data breaches, ransomware, and other cybersecurity threats that could disrupt operations or compromise sensitive customer data.
3. Restoration and recovery planning.
In the event of a service outage or infrastructure damage, having a detailed restoration plan is critical. This plan should prioritize the most essential services and outline steps for a safe and efficient recovery. Additionally, post-disaster recovery should include debriefing sessions to learn from the event and adjust the emergency preparedness plan accordingly.
Conclusion
For municipal utilities, emergency preparedness is not just about managing internal risks—it’s about
safeguarding the health, safety, and stability of entire communities. By preparing for the unexpected, your organization can protect critical infrastructure, maintain service continuity, and preserve public trust. The time invested in planning today can prevent chaos, mitigate damages, and speed recovery tomorrow.
Preparedness ensures your municipal utility is ready to meet challenges head-on, no matter what form they take. Let’s make sure the essential services people rely on continue to flow, even in times of crisis.
Sidney Rubber Gloving School Recap
The Western Nebraska Rubber Gloving School was held Aug. 27-29 at the Don Winkelman Training Field, the Wheatbelt Public Power District’s training Field north of Sidney. A total of 59 linemen were in attendance – 22 from municipalities and 37 from rural electric systems. Municipal systems that participated included: Alliance, Bayard, Benkelman, Callaway, Center (CO), Chappell, Gothenburg, Minden, Mullen, Sidney, Stuart, Torrington (WY), Valentine, and Wray (CO).
The workshop began with vendor introductions which included brief discussions on the various equipment, vehicles, and other related electrical materials that were provided for use and display by the various systems. The participants were then broken into hands-on work groups or stations based on experience level: beginner, intermediate, or advanced.
The beginner groups are those with little or no experience with rubber gloving so far in their career. These attendees practiced insulator change outs, bell change-out on single phase dead-ends, installation and removal of a transformer on an energized pole, and refusing off
a pole, out of a bucket truck, and using a long stick.
The intermediate groups are those with limited experience with rubber gloving and covered situations that utilities deal with on a day-to-day basis. These attendees practiced cutting in and out temporary bells, three-phase lifts and cross arm change outs, changing a transformer with belt and hooks, discussion, rescue, and repelling with suspension trauma, classroom teaching on regulators and breakers, changing out a transformer bank, and installing repair sleeves.
The advanced groups are those who have years of experience in rubber gloving. These attendees practiced leaning a three phase tangent pole, setting a new pole, transferring conductors to a new pole, cut-in a C-8 and cut-out then change to a tangent structure, change out a transformer bank, and change out bells on a C-4 structure.
A special thanks to all the vendors and instructors who attended and assisted with the workshop. Without their help, the school would not be able to flourish. Vendors in attendance are as follows (listed in alphabetical order): Tom Kelly and Chad Hyatt of Altec; Garrett Feil
and Scott Ternes of Border States; Doug Kottas of Evans Lipka; Nate Black of FR Wear; and Kevin Evans of Terex.
The 2025 Rubber Gloving Workshops are tentatively scheduled for June in Norfolk and August in Sidney.
Milestone recognition
Is your municipality or utility celebrating a historic milestone? We are encouraging members to provide any information on milestones being celebrated such as 75 years of operating the electric system. About 1942, private electric systems were phased out in Nebraska and several municipalities took over the systems in the 1940s.
When was your water, wastewater, electric, power generation system established? When were facilities built, improvements made, etc. If your utility is celebrating a 25-, 50-, 75-, or 100-year milestone, let the Utilities Section help you celebrate by recognizing it in the newsletter.
Service Awards
Remember to recognize your employees’ anniversary milestones. The League provides certificates for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, and 65.
You can request them by emailing brendah@ lonm.org.
Retirements: Let us help recognize those municipal employees who are retiring after years of service.
Utilities Section Newsletter
Classifieds
City Superintendent. The City of Grant, Nebraska is seeking a new City Superintendent. Grant is a second-class city with a population of 1,197 and is located in western Nebraska. Our community is a short distance from Interstate 80, which is 18 miles north of Grant, and has well maintained highways to gain access to our community. Our community has an outstanding health care facility, a business district that wants to see continued growth, and an excellent school system. If you like the outdoors the community has a golf course, a beautiful park with amenities for all ages, and we
are also only a short distance away from Nebraska’s largest lake, Lake McConaughy, (within 25 miles).
The City of Grant is looking for an individual to fill the City Superintendent position, which is an administrative position to coordinate and meet the goals and objectives established by the Mayor, Grant City Council, various boards, and committees.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration or a related field is preferred but not required. Strong knowledge of governmental accounting, budgeting, planning, and management is required. Excellent
benefit package. Salary is negotiable; based on experience and qualifications.
Submit a cover letter, resume, a list of three professional references with contact information to the following address: City of Grant, PO Box 614, Grant, NE 69140, (308) 352-2100, treas@grantnebraska. com.
A job description and additional information are available by contacting City Clerk/Treasurer, Jessie Faber at the above telephone number or email. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Grant is an EOE.
Utilities Section Newsletter
2024-2025 Training calendar
Visit our website for a complete list of workshops and conferences.
October
Oct. 22
Water Operator Training Workshop
DHHS Facility – Room 110, Norfolk
Oct. 23 Water Operator Training Workshop Community Meeting Room, 3rd Floor, Columbus
Oct. 24 Water Operator Training Workshop Christensen Field, Fremont
December
Dec. 10 .......... Water Operator Training Workshop .............................. Lincoln
Dec. 12 .......... Water Operator Training Workshop .............................. Falls City
January
Jan. 8-10 ........ Utilities/Public Works Section Annual Conference ...... The Graduate, Lincoln
Jan. 15 ........... Water Operator Training Workshop .............................. Blair
Jan. 16 Water Operator Training Workshop Nebraska City
Jan. 21 ........... Water Operator Training Workshop .............................. Holiday Inn, Kearney
Jan. 22-23 ...... Snowball Conference .................................................... Holiday Inn, Kearney
February
Feb. 11-12 ..... Electric Meter Conference ............................................ Holiday Inn, Kearney
Feb. 24-25 Midwinter Conference
Cornhusker Marriott Hotel, Lincoln
Utilities Section Executive Board
President
Duane Hoffman Public Works Director Oxford
1st Vice President
Pat Heath City Administrator Gering
2nd Vice President Gary Thurlow Utility Superintendent Atkinson
Board Member Sarah Sawin Director of Utilities Kearney
Board Member Matt Owens Water & Sewer Supervisor Imperial
Board Member
Jeramie Van Leer Utility Superintendent Ord
Ex Officio Member
Layne Groseth
City Administrator and Utilities Manager North Platte