The Stabilizer Bar: An Inexpensive Tool Which Will Save Time and Money
Almost anyone who has ever climbed down and up manhole ladders in order to access the shutoff valves would agree that the trip is not convenient. It takes time, and the slick rungs can be dangerous. Workers go through this in the blistering heat of summer and in the bitter cold of winter just to access a single shutoff valve. On top of their physical discomforts is the knowledge that in an emergency every second it takes them to shut off the valve is a magnification of the hazard. A stabilizer bar is an answer to all these problems. It functions by gripping the sides of a manhole in order to support a long valve stem. With the extra support for the valve stem, workers can operate the shutoff valves without descending into the manhole. This can reduce discomfort, increase safety, and save time.
Discomfort on the job can be a large problem. Few people are anxious to climb into dark, dirty manholes. Of course workers are willing to do the job in order to serve the community, but reducing their discomfort is worth the nominal cost of a stabilizer bar. With a bar, workers can easily turn on and off underground valves from street level. Trips into the manhole could be reduced to maintenance and repair work.
Bars increase the safety of employees because manholes can be dangerous. Rain, snow, and freezing temperatures turn the already-slick ladder rungs into a hazard. Even in the best of conditions it is possible for a worker to slip. Thousands of people are injured every year by falls from ladders, and manhole ladders have the potential to be more dangerous than most other types. The holes are deep enough that a fall could potentially be fatal to an employee. These utility workers are dedicated to serving the community; they deserve to be as protected as possible while they do it. A stabilizer bar can help to reduce injuries and maybe even save lives as it lessens workers' trips into the manhole.
Climbing into a manhole is a slow process. With the aid of a bar, a worker can turn off the valve within minutes of opening the cover. With only a wrench, a bar can be quickly extended as needed to properly grip the manhole sides. On an average day, the extra minutes saved by a bar do not amount to much beyond an extra convenience. However, the shutoff valves in manholes can be critical in the event of an emergency. Gas leaks can cause destruction and even death; the longer it takes a worker to shut off the valve, the more damage a gas leak can do.
A stabilizer bar will likely save businesses money. This simple tool is inexpensive and is light enough to be conveniently set up for use. With the bar, employees will finish their manhole-related jobs faster. Also, increasing the safety of employees is both compassionate and financially beneficial. When employees feel the company cares about their wellbeing, they are more likely to remain in their jobs. Additionally, steps toward creating a safe workplace will also decrease worker's compensation fees.
The purchase of a stabilizer bar can be a wise investment for any company whose employees need access to underground valves. The bar will pay for itself in saved money, and workers may appreciate the added convenience of this simple tool.