The 36x36 inch rubber insolation blanket has for years been the standard go-to cover-up tool for Oncor field crews. While this standard blanket has its uses, it can be big and cumbersome when working on things like jumpers, cross arms, and other types of equipment.

Line workers at Oncor use a rubber protective blanket as a critical safety tool to cover electrical equipment to protect themselves from electrical accidents. 

After field crews expressed a need for more cover-up choices, Oncor leadership paired with electric equipment manufacturer, Hubbell, to develop a new piece of equipment.

The new 18x48-inch blanket is a first-of-its-kind and took three years to design, test, produce and finally reach the hands of Oncor employees.

Metro East Safety Rep Billy Rains was one of the first to see the new blankets in use. Rains said it wasn’t just about getting a new tool to help crews do their job, it was that Oncor saw a need, and stepped up to fill it.

“Oncor listens to the innovations that we suggest and they ran with it on this one and they hit it out of the ballpark,” said Rains. “It just shows that they listen to us and that they feel what we have to say is important.”

The old 36x36-inch blankets are still available for use, but the new blankets will allow for more flexibility in spots where the old blanket was too bulky.

“These new jumper blankets, they are much more lightweight. They are easier to install,” said Chase Ashburn, Journeyman/Lineman at Dallas North Service Center. “You can actually wrap them around the conductor. It’s just safer in the end.”

Safety is always at top of mind for Oncor workers. So far, the reaction from crews is positive.

“Everybody seems to like them so far,” said Ashburn.