UGI Workers Save Siding Crew from Electrocution Risk

May is Electrical Safety Month. Every year, the Electrical Safety Foundation International runs a campaign to teach people how to prevent electrical fires, injuries, and property damage. This year’s focus is on making sure workers have the right training and tools, and know when to stop work if it’s not safe.

At UGI, employees don’t just look out for each other — they look out for their community too. Recently, a team from UGI’s Electric Division stepped in to protect a local siding crew from a life-threatening situation.

In March, UGI employees Jared Medar and Christopher Maga noticed a siding crew working on a house. Their scaffolding poles were dangerously close to live power lines overhead. They quickly reported it.

Jared contacted Bernie Socha, who then reached out to Brian Wilson, Frank Yuscavage, and Brian Burns. Nina Chlubicki was dispatched to the scene right away.

When Nina arrived, she saw that the metal scaffolding poles were only 4 to 6 inches away from multiple live wires — close enough to cause electrocution. She immediately started yelling at the crew to come down. Unfortunately, there was a language barrier, and the workers didn’t understand the danger, so they kept working. Nina quickly called for a crew to come and put protective rubber covers on the power lines and have the scaffolding removed.

Brian Wilson contacted the Systems Operator, Brian Burns, to send the right equipment and suggested calling the police. The police said they couldn’t help since no crime was being committed and suggested contacting the Township Zoning Office instead, as they typically provide permits prior to work beginning. Lisa Gigliello made the call to Plymouth Township.

After nearly an hour, the siding crew finally came down from the roof. Nina stayed on site until UGI’s truck units arrived, followed by Brian Wilson, Evan DeMuzzio, and Bernie Socha. Together, the team came up with a safe plan.

They placed rubber covers on the power lines and cut the two metal scaffolding poles just above where they were tied to the house. They also left extra rubber covers on the lines in case the siding crew went back up.

The team tried to warn the contractor not to return to the roof, but the language barrier made it hard to communicate. Eventually, one worker seemed to understand when the team acted out the word “electrocution.” The solution was a temporary fix, since the crew would likely go back to do the job. The UGI team left the necessary equipment for them to continue the work safely, although ultimately the preference would be to call UGI ahead of time to provide safe clearance to do the work.

“I commend everyone for their work on this,” said Bernie Socha. “Jard and Chris immediately recognized a safety hazard, and when Nina arrived at the scene, she did everything she could to keep the siding crew safe. We had multiple people involved in this incident and I am proud of everyone for stepping in to help.”

Because of this incident, UGI is considering ways to communicate with contractors and explain the dangers of working near power lines — hopefully preventing a similar situation in the future.