Volume 4, Issue 05
March 5, 2015
Snow and Ice Removal
With our extreme winter conditions, it’s important to keep gas meters
and fire hydrants clear of snow and ice, including areas above and near it.
Natural Gas Meters
You should use caution near outside natural gas meters. It is important
that you never use snow removal equipment, including plows, blowers
or shovels, near or on natural gas meters. It is also important that you
not cover natural gas meters with plowed snow.
The best winter advice to safeguard your gas meter is to:
1) Gently remove snow or ice from the natural gas meter, any associated piping and the
roofline above the meter.
2) Check often to ensure that melting snow or ice is not dripping on the meter from the
roof or nearby trees. It can seal the vent if it refreezes. 1950
3) Carefully remove accumulated snow and ice from the rooftop above the meter. Always
look up first to find any overhead power lines, and keep yourself and any tools you’re
using at least 10 feet away. Contact with a power line can seriously injure or kill you.
4) Carefully shovel around a meter and move snow away from it. Avoid using a snow
blower near a meter.
5) Always keep a clear path to your gas meter, to allow quick access in an emergency. A
snow-covered meter, in addition to being potentially dangerous, can also lead to a loss
of service and freezing of inside pipes as a result of lost heat.
A buildup of ice on the meter can plug the vent and adversely affect the
operation of the gas pressure regulator, resulting in a potentially
hazardous condition by preventing the flow of natural gas. If your gas
meter is encased in ice, do not attempt to melt and/or chip the ice, as
this could cause damage to the meter. Allow the ice to melt on its own.
Volume 4, Issue 05
March 5, 2015
Fire Hydrants
We like playing hide and seek as much as anyone else but playing
with a fire hydrant during an emergency isn't fun for anyone. If
you have a hydrant in your yard or office please ensure they are
clear. 1983
A clearly visible, accessible fire hydrant could save your home – or
even your life. If a fire hydrant is lost or buried in snow,
firefighters can lose valuable time trying to locate it when they
first arrive at a fire. You can perform a valuable public service and
protect yourself, your family and your neighbors by taking the
responsibility for shoveling out and clearing any fire hydrants near your home during and after
a snowstorm.
Smith System
Key 4: Get the Big Picture
Adequate eye lead time is only one of the seeing habits needed to acquire the vast amount of
information that exists in the traffic scene. The big picture includes consistent visibility ahead, to the
Volume 4, Issue 05
March 5, 2015
rear, and to the sides of the vehicle. Smith System recommends that at least one of
the mirrors should be checked every 5 to 8 seconds. Use your eyes to establish a 360
degree circle of constant awareness.
A significant part of creating better visibility is the avoidance of vision barriers. Any
other vehicle on the road can serve as a vision barrier. When it is necessary to drive
behind another vehicle, the only way to keep it from obstructing your vision is to
maintain the proper following distance. 4135
Another key element to creating better visibility is maintaining a proper following
distance. Smith System recommends that you maintain at least a 4 second following
distance.
Reduced visibility and tire traction in poor weather, as well as heavier loads, require
you to increase your following distance even more.
When you are following this
close to another vehicle, who is
really driving your car? Every
time they have to brake so do
you.
Maintaining a greater following
distance will give you a better
overall picture of what is ahead
of you.
Give yourself more space and time to react to hazards before they become unavoidable.
Did you see your company ID number to win a Safety
T-shirt? (If so, contact your local safety consultant)
Volume 4, Issue 05
March 5, 2015
Recent MVI’s
Gas Specialist – Clarksville – 02/02/2015
The Vectren driver was driving down a one way street with two parked vans,
attempted to pass between them, swerved to avoid hitting a pedestrian and
hit one of the parked vans.
Gas Specialist Apprentice – Clarksville – 02/12/2015
The Vectren driver rear-ended the driver in front of him while attempting to
come to a stop.
Safety Statistics as of
March 02, 2015
Vectren DART’S
Energy Delivery (Incl.
Field Ops)
Power Supply
Utility Holdings Support
Corporate Office
Total
5
0
0
0
5
Incidents Currently
Under Investigation
0
OSHA Recordables
Lost Time Cases
9
4
Vectren Preventable Motor
Vehicle Incidents (MVI’S)
Previously known as MVA’s
Energy Delivery (Incl.
Field Ops)
Power Supply
All Other Locations
Total
3
0
0
3
Vectren PMVI's
Backing
0%
Turning
33%
Moving
Forward
67%
MVI’S Currently Under
Investigation
0