Safety Guidelines

All safety guidelines must be followed. These safety rules are not meant to slow you down, they are meant to keep you safe. You should never take any shortcuts when it comes to safety. It only takes one time to cause property damage, bodily damage/injury or even death.

Physical Hazards/Surroundings

Upon arrival look around, what physical hazards are there? Look around, is the ground wet and slippery? Is there snow/ice? A good assessment of the area around you can help you mentally prepare to avoid physical hazards.

When approaching the meter are there any physical hazards? Things such as bushes, trees, cactus, decorative rocks, old tires, garbage, or anything that might not allow you to safely change the meter while standing on level ground is a hazard. If the meter cannot be safely accessed log the reason into your handheld.

Meter approach safety inspection

• Upon approaching any electric meter, you need to look at the meter can itself. Is the meter can square?

• If overhead, is the weather head service bent? If the pipe is bent the wires inside could be stretched.

• Underground services are prone to what is called settling. The conduit holding wire settles which causes the service wires to become tight. It will often cause the conduit to come out from the connector that connects the conduit to the can. Other times it will pull the meter can down and off the wall partially or all the way. When you see the meter can is crooked, it is a clue you could have a broken socket.

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