The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-08-31
Zenith Telephone Company


Zenith Telephone has been doing
considerable work in the interest of
safety.
Modern reconstruction along their
lines have removed many hazards of
construction work.
Underground conduits and cables.
abolition of cross arms in contested
districts. health and safety of the
operators, have all been part of
the work done.
Minimizing danger from electrocu-
ton, by coming in contact with live
wires has been perplexing problem
by telephone companies, and the
zenith Telephone company of Duluth
has had its share of trials before it
solved the situation, and eliminated
to minimum degree, the danger.
During the past two years, this COM
pany has expended much thought
and money in undermining it's con-
struction for the prevention of such
accidents that might injure its en-
ployes, patrons and property of the
public.
The old method of outside con-
struction, by which telephone lines
were in constant danger Of coming
in contact with high tension voltage,
made the lineman's occupation very
hazardous. A telephone wire in itself
Is perfectly harmless, and an cleo
trfcal worker has no fear when work.
ing With it, but many workmen have
Deem injured, not so much the fault
or the telephone company, but by
construction where Electric Light and
Telephone companies used joint poles.
The repeated accidents OF this
character caused the Zenith Tele-
phone company to revolutionize at an
immense cost the method of con-
struction. and it is doing it in a man
ner that should win for the company,
the respect and admiration Of all peo-
pie who appreciate a concern that
gives consideration to human life, as
we'll as to profits, "
In all instances, pole lines have
been built for the Independent use of
telephone Ines: wherever it was pos
sible to get permission so as to avoid
the joint use Of poles UNDERGROUND
work has been done wherever it was
considered hazardous, where poles
are used Jointly q cable Is used: which
encloses the wires in lead sheath,
thereby eliminating all danger. These
cables are placed SIX feet from all
electrical contacts. III
All employees working for the COM
pany use safety belts, and In cases
of danger rubber gloves and boots are
used. The poles are all equipped with
OF Nok III ,oe
the workman to depend upon the
spurs entirely. - - IT
The cross arms which in oldcn
times were of knotty pine and small
dimensions are, now replaced withxa
larger dimension straight grain, Of f1r
timber, cured in .creosote, and are
bolted through the pole, where as
formerly they were tackled ION with
lag bolts. This eliminates consider
able danger, where workmen have
depended upon them for safety.
In its reconstruction work at the
West End and West Duluth, interest
was taken for public safety in the
matter Of removing unsightly pole
lines in thickiy populated portions.
In the West End 1877 poles were re-
moved, underground conduits and un-=
derground cables we're put in, which
Is absolutely safe from all danger TO
the public. The West Duluth section
has been all reconstructed with mod
ern telephone construction. S 1. 7
Next year the company expects 70
rebuild its East End lines, 4 q con-
siderable amount 81 conduit and I'M
derground cable Is to be put In and
r1ir 4.