Stabilizer bar, manhole shaft, utility worker 09/2015
The Benefits of Stabilizer Bars When Working In Manhole Shafts
Anyone who has worked in the utility industries knows that there are a variety of hazards and safety concerns that come with the job, but that with the right equipment and training, a safe working environment is very sustainable and cost-effective. One key piece of safety equipment for utility workers who often find themselves having to work in a manhole shaft is the stabilizer bar. Designed to operate large water valves from street level, these unique tools let any utility worker remain safely away from any hazards that might accompany a sudden change in system pressure below.
Features
There are a few key features that make these bars so effective, and they tend to be universal:
•Galvanized steel construction
•They are available in a variety of sizes to fit any valve or cover any distance
•Simple set up with standard crescent wrenches
These features allow any worker to operate safely without losing time or running into other inefficiencies. The result is a simple, safe way to ensure access to all utility system components without unnecessary risk, and that benefits both the utility worker and the company as a whole.
Long-Term Return
Using a stabilizer bar every time your workers need to open large valves inside a manhole shaft might seem like a small step, but it is one that has some very easy to realize long-term returns. This will not only lower the risk of injuries, which saves the company money on related medical bills, it will also affect other key budget items. For example, many insurance underwriters will adjust your risk assessment and premium schedule for various items from workers' compensation and on-site injury insurance. These small adjustments to regular expenditures really add up, demonstrating that the safe choice is the right choice, for the company and the utility worker.
Putting it All Together
If it seems like keeping a variety of sizes and options on hand so that your workers have a stabilizer bar that works for any manhole shaft on any job is a great idea, that's because it is. On top of the increased safety that comes from keeping your employees out of the trajectory of any loose or loosened items when the pressure in the valve finally breaks open, it also reduces the likelihood of damage to related equipment, and it does so without placing a measurable burden on the job's completion time. With a simple setup designed to work with everyday tools, any time spent in process with stabilizer bars is saved in other efficiencies and safety measures.