Safety Procedures Flashcards

Which of the following is the MOST important safety rule when approaching an unfamiliar property?

Answer: Knock and announce your presence before entering to alert residents and animals

Announcing your presence by knocking or calling out before entering alerts homeowners and pets, reducing the risk of startling them and causing a confrontation.

A 'Danger: High Voltage' sign on a meter enclosure means a meter reader should:

Answer: Contact a qualified electrician or utility technician before accessing the enclosure

High-voltage enclosures require trained personnel with proper PPE — a standard meter reader should not enter and must escalate to a qualified technician.

Which action is required when a meter reader witnesses a utility line down on the ground?

Answer: Keep a safe distance of at least 30 feet and call emergency services and the utility immediately

Downed power lines can be energized and deadly — the safe action is to stay at least 30 feet away and immediately contact emergency services and the utility company.

What is the purpose of the 'Dig Safe' or 'Call 811' requirement before fieldwork involving excavation near meters?

Answer: To identify and mark underground utilities so workers don't accidentally strike them

Calling 811 (the national call-before-you-dig hotline) ensures underground utilities are marked before any digging, preventing deadly strikes on gas, electric, or water lines.

A meter reader notices a meter box that has been flooded with standing water. They should:

Answer: Report the hazard and do not attempt to read the meter until it has been inspected by a technician

Water in a meter enclosure creates an electrocution or gas leak risk — it must be reported and cleared by qualified personnel before any reading attempt.

Under OSHA regulations, employers are required to provide meter readers with safety training:

Answer: Before beginning work and whenever new hazards are introduced

OSHA standards require that workers receive safety training before starting work in hazardous conditions and whenever new hazards are identified in the workplace.