By Larry Kotars,
Regional Sales Manager, Huskie Tools, Inc.

(From an article that appeared in the October 1999 issue of Utility)

Huskie Tools, Inc., a leader in the tool industry, wants you to understand that you do have a choice when purchasing tools for your company. As the 21st century approaches, the utility industry is the last single monopoly slowly converting to deregulation. With just fewer than 100 investor-owned utilities left, corporate mergers and buyouts are a sure thing.

Spending money on capital tools has now become an art. Experts and analysts suggest in the next 20 years we will only have 50 utility companies serving our country.

There are thousands of people across America who work for utility companies. One occupation in our industry that is listed within the top 10 most dangerous jobs is the lineman's job, or as we like to call them, "Powerline Technicians." When a person enters the apprentice lineworkers field, it takes two years of classroom and supervised field training. Once this trainee understands electric line installation and maintenance, they are upgraded to lineman 1st year, 2nd year, etc. In reality, this trainee does not become a power line technician until their fifth year. It takes five years to build confidence and understand all the troubleshooting applications. So after all this time, money, and energy grooming this employee, your company gives him a compression tool built just after World War II. What kind of way is that to protect your investment? Remember, you have "Smart Tool Choices," so use them.

Our industry is currently experiencing drastic changes in work methods due to downsizing, rising cost of workers' compensation claims and health insurance premiums. These trends have given rise to a new generation of concerned companies searching for high-tech time saving tools along with safer and more efficient work methods. As a result, Utility Ergonomics has emerged to meet this challenge by fitting the work environment to the individual.

Safety, productivity, and efficiency are major ergonomic factors that must be considered if companies are to continue to be competitive in today's construction market, such is the scenario with the introduction of battery-powered tools. Portable, self-contained tools have risen to meet the challenges of this new era. They are safe, efficient, and productive. Battery-powered tools make their operator a virtual powerhouse capable of completing an entire project without extra manpower to assist.

Making this switch should ease the vibrating, pounding, twisting, and straining effects of hand tools on the operator. Our job is to keep the powerline technician in good health and help guarantee his or her longevity in the workplace.

A powerline technician who is not working because of poor work methods or tool-related injury becomes costly for the company and the individual. And injured person affects everyone, causing multiple replacement moves by other personnel. We have recognized a major job injury statistic that can be greatly reduced if the right tool and work method is employed.

According the National Safety Council, workers afflicted with carpal tunnel syndrome typically missed 30 days of work, making it the lengthiest absence reported for any major type of job-related injury or illness covered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 1995 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.

As we enter the new millennium, Huskie Tools would like to proclaim that it is time to change from mechanically handheld tools to battery-power driven tools. Are you ready to move forward with us?