Non-negotiables for pad work, electrical boundaries, driving, and staying aware on site.
Pad / jobsite essentials
Before you start
PPE on before stepping into the work area
Control traffic (cones/truck position/spotter when needed)
Ignition awareness near open sumps/spill buckets
Keep tools/parts controlled (no trip hazards, no loose hardware)
Traffic control & visibility
Use your truck to block / shield the work area from traffic
Set out cones around the work zone
Wear a hi-vis vest or bright colors so you're easy to see
Use a spotter whenever sightlines are poor
PPE & fire
Wear safety glasses for the work
Keep an up-to-date fire extinguisher within reach of the work area
Check the extinguisher gauge / tag before you rely on it
Stop-work rule
If conditions are unsafe or unclear, stop, make safe, and escalate. No guessing.
Electrical boundaries
Simple rule set
Only do what you’re trained/authorized to do
If uncertain: pause, make safe, call lead
Never “wing it” on power/control wiring
Communicate impact before shutdown (unless emergency)
Verify it's dead — every time
Always verify the voltage is off with a meter before you touch a conductor — don't trust a label or a flipped switch alone
Lock out / tag out the breaker any time you turn it off or walk away from it, so no one re-energizes it while you're on the wires
Prove your meter works: test it on a known live source, then the dead circuit, then the live source again (live–dead–live)
Megohmmeter (megger) testing
Double-check you're on the right wires before you apply test voltage
Cap off the end that isn't clamped by the meter so the energized lead can't contact anything
Make sure the wire is not still connected to motors or sensors — megging into them can damage the equipment
Confirm the conductor is fully isolated before testing
Free of gas fumes — never megger where fumes may be present
Fumes + electricity
Never check live voltage when fumes are present. If you smell fuel or vapor, stop, make the area safe / ventilate, and take no live electrical reading until it's clear.
Driving safety
Basics
No texting and driving — phone down, eyes on the road
Set up your GPS before you put the vehicle in drive, never while moving
No rushing, no distractions
Back up with a spotter when visibility is limited
Secure equipment before driving (no loose hoses/tools)
Rule: Anything that needs your hands or eyes — GPS, phone, paperwork — happens while parked, not while moving.
Spill mindset (quick)
What to do
Stop the source (if safe)
Contain and prevent spread
Notify per company procedure
Document what happened + what you did
Situational awareness & personal safety
Stay aware on site
Always be aware of your surroundings — use your senses: sight, sound, smell, and touch
No earphones or loud music — you need to hear pumps, traffic, and people
Know where your exits are and keep a clear path out
Crime or violence
If you feel unsafe because of crime or violence: make your work area safe when applicable, leave, and call your manager. Your safety comes before the job — no equipment is worth it.