April 2023 Newsletter

SELCAT Spotlight

www.selcat.com

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

Clean=Safe

Did you know that over two-thirds of all accidents involve housekeeping in some way, shape, or form? Housekeeping doesn't mean just picking up your trash around you. Good Housekeeping includes your entire work area and your vehicles. Are your work materials stored and placed properly? Are your materials out of the way as not to be a trip hazard? Bad Housekeeping on the job site may result in injuries. Have you ever needed a tool that should have been in its place but wasn't? Maybe you thought you could get the job done by just using a different tool that was there instead? Using incorrect tools due to convenience can often lead to accidents on the job or not performing the job properly and having to do it over again.

Here are a few tips to remember for General Housekeeping (it's not just for the cleaner's, lol):

Clean up after yourself! Don't expect someone else to do it for you. You are an adult.

Keep your work area clean. This includes your bucket, inside of your vehicle, etc.

Stack materials and supplies orderly and how you will need them for the job.

No matter the condition of the job site area when you arrived, always clean up sidewalks, driveways, backyards, etc. It only takes a little to make a big difference sometimes.

In this issue

Having a Support System

May is mental health awareness month and its so important in this line of work to have a support system in place

Words from the Executive Director

Check out a few words from SELCAT'S Executive Director!

Know Your LINECO

Stay up to date on what your LINECO benefits have to offer.

Important dates:

May 5, 2023

Transformer 2 Class; SELCAT

May 1-11, 2023

Substation/Underground FTS

May 13, 2023

Transformer 1 Online Class

May 26, 2023

Mandatory Orientation Class

Check your SELCAT email

May 29, 2023

Memorial Day- Office Closed

May 31-June 2, 2023

First Aid, CPR & OSHA 10 ET&D Classes

KnowYour

Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness month? Di you know that LINECO offers a free MAP program for its members?? This isn't just a physically demanding trade to work in, it can be mentally as well. Make sure you know your benefits and how they can help when you need them.

We have the absolute best benefits around! But how well do you know your benefits? Do you know what kind of coverage you actually have with LINECO? Scan the QR code below for a breakdown of everything covered by our LINECO! Hands down we have the best benefits around!

A Message from the Executive Director

Did you know that On April 10, 2013, U.S. Senate Resolution 95 recognized linemen across the country by setting April 18th as National Lineman Appreciation Day. So how can you celebrate it: Give a shoutout on social media to linemen everywhere.

You can celebrate the day by thanking your local linemen. Share your experiences as a lineman.

Attend a job fair and learn about the work linemen do.

Use #NationalLinemanAppreciationDay and #thankalineman on Social Media

As we continue our growth and the buildout of our satellite facilities, we are striving to make sure that we are continuing the growth in more ways than just land We are growing our related classroom and testing to be more virtual This Month we will be moving to online proctored testing Meaning no more driving to a physical location to take your test You can take it at home!

As we move forward with our growth and training technology plans, we need to make sure that we communicate this with you as sometimes there are growing pains and unintended consequences we need to iron out, so please be patient with us while we get this done

Thank you and God Bless

Having a Support System Having a Support System

By Jennifer Gibbons

The outside power line industry can be a tricky trade for some line workers. Not only are the workers affected by the lifestyle of the trade, but the entire family can also be affected. We have a very rewarding trade, but it comes at a cost.

I married a Journeyman Lineman No one tells you in the beginning just how complicated things can get sometimes Your spouse may be in another state, working storm, or even working across the country even at times. You spend more time apart than together. While our line workers provide power to the world, we are at home handling everything else. It may be working, caring for the kids, caring for your home, or anything else life throws at us. Sometimes this can be extremely overwhelming.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Take this time (if you haven't already) and figure out your support system! This is crucial for any line family. Not just for the spouses and kids at home but also for our line workers on the job! Being away from home and family, more days than not, can also take a massive toll on anyone So if you still need to, find someone (or a lot of someone) that you can have as a support system This may be family at home to help with different things, a friend to talk to, or even co-workers to have as a shoulder to lean on when needed. It takes a village, so make sure you have plenty of people in your "village" to help support you, your family, and your needs when it's too much to handle alone. The one thing I love about this trade is the amazing friends and support system you met. You will make friends that will last a lifetime. We have met families in the trade from one side of the country to the other, and we would all be there for each other at the drop of a hat if needed! So rely on these people if you need someone. Need to put a support system into place? Need to talk to someone? LINECO offers free counseling services through its Member Assistance Program (MAP) The website link and number are provided below 1-800-323-7268

https://www.lineco.org/html/hspd0680.htm

SELCAT Spotlight

ToOurApril2023 TopOuts!

Journeyman Substation Technician:

Andrew Gardana

Journeyman Underground Technician:

John Garner

Journeyman Lineman:

Charles Hamilton

Brian Ellis

James Spruell

Trenton Ivey

Phillip Teague

Harrison Knox

Sheldon Hotchkiss

KNOWYOURKNOTS.. KNOWYOURKNOTS.. KNOWYOURKNOTS..

The Clove Hitch is a common knot that is useful for tying cylindrical objects. If the load can rotate, add an overhand knot or one or two half-hitches back around the standing part. Without the half hitches, if the load rotates, the clove hitch can roll itself undone.

Clove Clove Clove

Hitch Hitch Hitch

IInterviews Interviews nterviews

On April 26th & April 27th SELCAT hosted its second round of interviews for 2023. Over 2 days, SELCAT's team ran 3 rooms of interviews from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Over those two days, approx. 140 applicants were interviewed by our committee. A huge thanks to our Team here at SELCAT for everything that goes into holding interviews. Thanks to our Committee Members! And a big thanks to all the applicants that came!

Thank Thank Thank

you! you! you!

BEING AN APPRENTICE I'VE LEARNED THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT INS AND OUTS TO THE TRADE. SELCAT PROVIDES US WITH HIGH QUALITY TRAINING. IT TEACHES YOU TO ALWAYS BE WILLING TO LEARN THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER. THE APPRENTICESHIP IS TOUGH, BUT IT PREPARES YOU FOR THE CAREER YOU HAVE CHOSEN. REMEMBER NOTHING WORTH HAVING COMES EASY.

Adam Salter, 2nd Step

If you are an apprentice, and need to purchase new boots, check out Hoffman Boots! They offer $40.00 off your order! At checkout, use code: school23

www.hoffmanboots.com

Thank ThankA A Lineman Lineman

After 2012's Hurricane Sandy, the 113th Congress passed a bill designating April 18th as National Lineman Appreciation Day. The bill became law in 2013. This day is to celebrate all the men and women who put their lives at risk to keep the power on

Here are a few ways we showed our appreciation:

If you spot a line worker working in your neighborhood, say thank you! #thankalineman #selcat -Post on social media with this hashtag to encourage others to appreciate and recognize the important job that line workers do. Donate to a fallen lineman cause. Nonprofits seek assistance for injured lineman and their families. Find one near you.