Every day, electrical line workers experience some of the most dangerous conditions while on the job, facing harsh outdoor elements, long travel journeys, and heights that increase their risk of falls and other accidents. More than 2,000 electrical power-line installers and repairers are injured on the job every year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In the tight-knit town of Hartselle, Alabama, a small community of about 15,000 situated between Birmingham and Nashville, Tennessee, students in the medical track at Hartselle High School are trained in American College of Surgeons (ACS) Stop the Bleed techniques, learning three steps to control bleeding in emergencies before first responders arrive.
In early 2024, Hartselle High School seniors brought their knowledge of Stop the Bleed to a group of about 115 line workers and office workers at Joe Wheeler EMC, a local electric utility company that provides services to residents in Alabama’s Lawrence and Morgan Counties.
The students spent the day engaging with the line workers and office workers, teaching them hands-on skills that can save a life during a bleeding emergency, whether it be from a fall or a car accident while traveling for the job.
Many precautions are put in place to prevent injuries, but accidents from mechanical failures or when traveling to and from a work site can occur while on the job for any line worker, said Cody McDonald, safety director at Joe Wheeler EMC.
“Having the skillset taught in Stop the Bleed to respond to a bleeding emergency not only makes us safer, but I think these skills can benefit anybody,” he said.
McDonald helped organize the training event with teachers at Hartselle High School after meeting them at a luncheon sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce.
Although all trucks at Joe Wheeler EMC are equipped with bleeding control kits, having hands-on training with a tourniquet and receiving more in-depth education about bleeding control helped the team understand the reasoning behind Stop the Bleed and how to keep calm during a bleeding emergency, McDonald and others involved in the training added.
“We are thankful to Hartselle High School’s Stop the Bleed instructors and seniors for providing hands-on training to our employees,” said Gene Kanikovsky, general manager of Joe Wheeler EMC. “This program ensures our team is prepared to handle bleeding emergencies, whether from falls, equipment mishaps, or vehicle accidents, enhancing safety in one of the most challenging industries we serve.”
Training the Next Generation
At Hartselle High School, all juniors at the school who are on the medical education track are taught first-aid techniques and ACS Stop the Bleed training as part of their curriculum.
Health Science teachers Lynne Shelton, Kim Goins, and Jan Langston emphasize that the training is not only useful for students who plan to pursue a career in medicine but for anyone interested in gaining life-saving skills.
“Stop the Bleed is something that everyone should be aware of because you can have an accident at home with a hand tool and need to use a tourniquet,” said Goins. “That’s what we tell the students. It’s not just for people in these dangerous jobs; it’s for when you’re at home and something happens.”
Shelton, a health science teacher and HOSA-Future Health Professionals advisor, added: “These are good skills to know at home or out and about. You never know when you might be able to use them.”
Learn more about Stop the Bleed.