Storm Season Readiness: Essential Tool & Safety Checklist

Storms can happen any time of year, which is why it is important to keep your crews, tools, and safety equipment prepared. When storms are in the forecast, utility crews know preparation is key and that discovering damaged tools or missing safety equipment is not ideal. Taking the time before storm season to inspect, repair, and restock essential tools and safety equipment helps crews respond quickly, work efficiently, and stay safe when bad weather hits.

Preparation is more than just checking a box... it is about making sure that your teams have reliable equipment that they can count on when conditions get tough and the workload is demanding. A quick review of your inventory now can help prevent delays and keep crews focused on restoration efforts.

To help keep crews safe and ready for storm response, the Gresco Tool & Safety team has compiled this checklist of essential tools and equipment to inspect, service, and keep stocked.

Safety & Grounding Equipment

• Protective Grounds
• Mechanical Jumpers
• Hot Sticks
• Voltage Detectors
• Volt Meters

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Rain Suits
• Work Gloves
• Safety Glasses (Smoke and Clear)
• Traffic Vests
• Saw Chaps

Lighting & Visibility

• Spot Lights
• Head Lamps
• Flashlights
• Pole Light Transport Kits
• Road Signs and Stands
• Road Cones

Cutting, Trimming & Line Tools

• Chain Saws
• Pole Saws
• Wire Grips
• Cutting and Crimping Tools

Power Tools & Backup Equipment

• Battery Tools and Batteries
• Spare Tools Repaired and in Good Working Order

Routine equipment checks throughout the year can help identify needed repairs, replace worn items, and ensure crews have reliable tools when they need them most.

Gresco's Tool and Safety team helps utilities keep crews ready through expert tool and PPE selection, hands-on training, accurate fittings, and dependable repair services. Whether you need replacement equipment, battery-powered tools, safety gear, or repairs on existing tools, we're here to help keep your team prepared for whatever storm season brings.

A downloadable Tool & Safety checklist is available for your team below.

For more information on tool service and repair, please contact your Gresco representative or visit us at Gresco.com.