Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

They will probably win too, because juries hate corporations.

I guess it's hard for T employees to understand why they're so hated given what a fabulous place to work T is

We’ve used specialized chopping trucks to pull and remove old lead for years when it was being replaced by pic or fiber cables.

Surprisingly we didn't have any specialized vehicles in the west.

FCC we have to abandon dialtone because of lead. Finally

I have 25 yrs in the SE as a splicer/FT, have worked with or repaired a lot of lead splices and cables, both in construction and repair during my career. I never installed lead but removed a lot or abandoned it in some situations. We’ve used specialized chopping trucks to pull and remove old lead for years when it was being replaced by pic or fiber cables. It’s then sent to the appropriate recycling centers to handle from there.

The risk of lead exposure is vastly overblown for anyone beyond puberty. Of course, that won't stop the ambulance chasers from trying to cash in on a class action. They will probably win too, because juries hate corporations.

@1tey….seemed off to me too! Best I recall lead placement stopped in the early 60s at the absolute latest(even in the most podunk of all places). That would have OP in his 80s’at least.

Don’t have to worry about any of our “cable repairmen” getting lead exposure. They’ll just cut it from the CO to the customer….safety first!!

I would thing aerial would be good news. Easy to take down. Underground? That would be a problem.

I would think some metals company would help with the takedown of the cables in exchange for the metals in the cable, including lead.

You placed miles of lead cable? Are you a hundred years old? Lead migrated to plastic in early 1940s.
I’m sure you’ve worked on it but placed it? No. You’ve discredited yourself.

Just by Following safety protocols means nothing,

What safety protocols?

It's all tribal training. The company no longer sends us to lineman school.

The garbage about it not being an issue due to coatings and whatnot is just that, garbage.

I've wrecked some out.

Wear gloves (and mask if provided) when handling them.
Toss out gloves in hazmat bin.
The lead cable is disposed of as hazmat.

Nah... not toxic at all!!!

Cable splicers scuffed up lead cable for years with no protection…..then sometime in the 80’s they came out with Lepec a solution wiped on the sheath to prevent it from going airborne….they gave us paper devo coveralls to wear as well.

We were just told to wear gloves when we removed it from underground manhole runs or worked with it in any other capacity. Other than that there was no mention of the possible dangers of it.

Company always supplied proper safety equipment to use when working with lead. Most cities in the northeast have lead pipe water service lines leading to their homes. Calm down it’s not what you think.

there are safety procedures for installing or removing lead cables.if it scares you go sit in the truck

Just by Following safety protocols means nothing, Having too much exposure in your body can affect certain organs in your body, kidneys lead-related nephrotoxicity,

What are the OSHA guidelines for lead?
Permissible exposure limit (PEL).

The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to lead at concentrations greater than fifty micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 µg/m3) averaged over an 8-hour period.

My guess is that 100% of techs have not idea about such exposure. Just like with asbestos back in the 80s

I have heard lots of techs over the years having health issues- specifically kidney- did the lead cause this?

Well, this is the kind of informative post we need.
I did work for the NJUNS, OSMOSE pole transfer Units in the southeast, coordinated with the power companies. 'Never remove.. Just reattach!, We were told.
My crew received Nemo's related to Lead clad exposure can cause kidney, heart, and reproductive problems in adults, and it's classified as a probable carcinogen, is so toxic that even gnawing pests can't harm in general.
I still do have them if anyone wants to see them!.