The February issue of Utility Products brings you the complete 2012 Buyers Guide, offering a wealth of product and service information for industry providers you might need. This guide provides excellent contact information and is a handy reference when you need to locate certain products or services. The 2012 Buyers Guide is also listed online-you can go to www.utilityproducts.com and click on Buyers Guide; you will directed to categories and then to direct links to the companies' Web sites. Online or in print, it's quick and easy to find what you want, when you want it!

In each issue, Utility Products magazine makes every effort to bring you the latest and most applicable utility-industry articles and information. This month, our 13th Annual Readers' Choice Awards feature a collection of articles and product spotlights from 2011 that received the most response from you, our readers. If you missed any of these articles last year, here is your chance to check out information that can make you safer and increase job productivity.

One of our informative Readers' Choice Awards articles, "Inspecting Poles in the 21st Century" by Earle Jenkins, discusses ground line and below ground critical section testing techniques. Many variables affect the strength and serviceability of poles, and effective pole inspections must accurately identify poles that place system reliability and human life at risk while, at the same time, minimizing the number of still serviceable poles being replaced. Jenkins presents inspection methods that will help you choose the most accurate assessment of remaining pole strength and serviceability.

In "Pickup Trucks Outfitted With Custom Caps Can Outlive Utility Bodies," Jim Blayne presents how the utility truck-one of the most valuable resources for electric and telecommunications fleets-travels thousands of miles a year and many times might last less than one life cycle. Blayne discusses a steel utility body alternative that increases vehicle lifespan and maximizes usable cargo space-the SpaceKap, a self-contained mobile unit constructed of double-sided fiberglass walls that is bed specific, rather than truck specific.

Another great article, "Smart Tools: Having the Right Tool for the Job," discusses how many work related injuries can be prevented when employees use the right tools. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's statistics, strain related injuries are the primary cause of missed work and workmen's comp claims. One smart tool that helps keep you safe is the Spitzlift lightweight and portable crane-weighing 30 pounds, it can lift more than 30 times its own weight.

This issue's Readers' Choice Awards also brings you other important articles. Whether you are interested in handheld directional sensors, composite poles, tether and safety systems for tools at height, portable notebooks or preventing animal incursions at substations, there is information to help you stay safe and informed!

Regards,
John Tabor
Associate Editor
johnt@pennwell.com

More Utility Products Current Issue Articles
More Utility Products Archives Issue Articles