Broken Utility Pole Hazard: ROW Crew Identifies Structural Risk in West Virginia

Customer

AEP

Location

West Virginia

Highlights

  • Critical Structural Risk Caught Before Collapse
  • Rapid Hazard Escalation and Site Protection
  • Promotes Field Culture of Structural Awareness

Spotting the Hidden Threat: How a Broken Pole Was Caught Before It Caused Harm

The Challenge

While performing routine right-of-way (R/W) clearing and pole framing, a crew member discovered a broken pole in the work area. Though the damage was not immediately visible at first glance, the structural integrity of the pole had been compromised—posing a potential safety risk to both personnel and equipment nearby. The hazard likely resulted from a combination of pole age and under-classing, making it vulnerable to environmental stress or routine handling. Had the damage gone unnoticed, it could have collapsed under load or equipment interaction, leading to injury or costly rework.

The Solution

The crew acted quickly and decisively:
  1. Hazard Escalation The broken pole was immediately reported to the supervisor for evaluation and next steps.
  2. Site Marking The area was clearly marked to restrict access and prevent accidental interaction by crews or equipment.
  3. Replacement Initiated A replacement pole was requested and scheduled to ensure the project could resume safely and without delay.

Key Benefits

  • Injury Prevention: Proactive detection helped eliminate a critical field hazard before an incident could occur.
  • Operational Continuity: The quick response enabled the team to continue work safely with minimal disruption.
  • Field Safety Culture Reinforced: The event encouraged all personnel to assess structures actively—not just assume they're in working condition.
  • Asset Feedback Loop: Highlighted the need to reassess aging and under-classed infrastructure in current or future ROW scopes.

The Results

  • No injuries or equipment damage occurred.
  • Replacement efforts were set in motion without delaying other site activities.
  • The case is now used in safety discussions to promote visual inspection and hazard escalation protocols in ROW projects.

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