Citizens Energy Group employees from the water division recently participated in educational programs, including a global conference and a local firefighter training.
In early March, Bob Edwards, Distribution Supervisor, Planning and Inspection, participated in the Global Excavation Safety Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
The self-proclaimed “811 Man” has a passion for educating the public about damage prevention and has traveled to industry events for the past nine years to speak on the topic. He was one of three panelists at the March conference, attended by utility operators and contractors from around the world, who discussed responsible potholing.
Utility potholing uses a vacuum excavator or a shovel to find utility lines during construction or repairs. Utility potholing is used to locate known utilities below surface level by excavating potholes. Workers start with a pothole of various sizes determined by the type and size of utility to be located. The vacuum excavator or shovel will start at the edge of the 24-inch tolerance zone and excavate in a safe and prudent manner toward the marked utility.
Edwards and other members of the advisory board for the Water and Sewer Summit have already started plans for next year’s Global Excavation Safety Conference.
Darrell Richardson, Distribution Supervisor, Valve & Hydrant, taught Wayne Township Fire Department recruits about Citizens Energy Group fire hydrants in mid-April.
Assisted by Rodger Gill and Tionna Willis, Valve & Hydrant Mechanics, he provided training to the cadet class on proper use and visual inspection of hydrants, how to avoid freezing, how to report issues, and general safety practices. Citizens Energy Group participates annually in the fire department’s training program.
Top: Bob Edwards, far right, recently served as a panelist at the Global Excavation Safety Conference. For the past nine years, he has traveled to industry events such as this to share his passion for damage prevention with others.
Bottom: Darrell Richardson explains the parts of a fire hydrant to Wayne Township Fire Department recruits in mid-April.