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January/February 2026
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THE DAVEY BULLETIN
NIPSCO TEAM GETS CONFIDENCE BOOST WITH TRAINING
In their third quarterly training of the
year, Eastern Utility services crews on
the NIPSCO account focused on safety
with precision tree felling and wires
under tension training provided by the
Davey utility skills training team.
Scott Oyola said his biggest takeaways
from the hands-on training came from
review of the 5:1 system, also known
as a block and tackle pulley system,
which provides lengths of rope going
back and forth to decrease the amount
of effort it takes to pull a log.
Shawn Chalker (center), regional safety
specialist, corporate safety, demonstrates safe
chainsaw handling and directional felling cuts
as part of the six-step precision tree felling
plan at NIPSCO's safety quarterly training day
in September.
Davey Tree Surgery Company crews around Austin, Texas,
learned more about how their function and movement
affects the way their bodies perform at an annual safety
training day hosted by Austin Energy.
In addition to teachings about safe roadside work and aerial
rescue, Josh Maudlin, account manager, Austin Tree Trimming
account, Surgery Company, brought in Industrial Injury
Prevention Specialist Bailey Evers and Surgery Company
Industrial Athlete Program Manager Jason Sakihara to guide
employees through a Functional Movement Screening.
This tool puts people through a fundamental movement
pattern evaluation with the goal of highlighting areas
needing improved movement, such as greater balance or
flexibility. Jorge Zapien, supervisor, Austin Tree Trimming
account, provided translation for Spanish-speaking
employees in attendance.
SURGERY CREWS STRETCH IT OUT AT AUSTIN ENERGY TRAINING
"These screenings provide for the perfect team bonding,"
Evers said. "It gives employees who may not know each
other the opportunity to talk to someone new and learn
things about their body and the work they do in a new way.
The ability for them to build better relationships from this
and walk away with greater understanding is huge."
Connor Roach, foreman, Austin Tree Trimming account, Davey Tree
Surgery Company, completes a section of the Functional Movement
Screening position of Austin Energy's safety training.
"Being able to train with line tension
and the understanding of the 5:1
process with others not only furthers
the knowledge that I have, but it helps
me know the people around me are
knowledgeable enough that if I need
their help or if they have to do actions
while I'm in a tree, I can be confident
that they can take care of it," Oyola,
foreman, Lakes West region, Eastern
Utility, said.
