High voltage worker stories: 
KELDON MCGUIRK

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Construction Lead Hand (Powerline Technician)

Prior roles: Operator, Apprentice, Construction Journeyman PLT
Location: Argyle, Manitoba Canada

years in the trade: 12 years

@kmcguirk982
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THE ONE THING I FEEL PEOPLE DON’T UNDERSTAND ABOUT OUR JOB IS HOW MUCH WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS.

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THE ONE THING I FEEL PEOPLE DON’T UNDERSTAND ABOUT OUR JOB IS HOW MUCH WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS.

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Stories in the trade

This series hands the mic to the folks who keep the lights on—how they got in, what they’ve seen, and where the trade’s headed

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What’s one thing about this work that outsiders totally misunderstand?

The one thing I feel people don’t understand about our job is how much we have to deal with on a day-to-day basis.

 

We could be hours from home, working in the middle of the night in a rainstorm or out in -45 getting the power back on, only to go back to an empty hotel room with our families back at home.

 

Not to mention just the amount of hazards we deal with every day. It’s not just heights and high voltage; we’re dealing with enough tension to kill you without all the other things.

 

The easiest one to overlook is just working in traffic.

How did you first hear about the trade and how did you get into your first role? 

The first time I heard about the trade was actually an ad for Powerline Technicians at Manitoba Hydro. I was kinda lost in what I wanted to do, and my mom, of all people, passed me a newspaper and pointed to the ad and said, “You should apply. This would be right up your alley.”
 

I threw my name in, and unfortunately didn't make it in the first time around, but I got a call from the manager of the Winnipeg Construction Department offering an operator position, and after that I just kept trying to learn as much as I could.
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This trade is hard on the body so having some money working for you is a good thing to set up for your future.

I’m alive and thankful. It just goes to show how important communication and situational awareness are.

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THis trade is hard on the body so having some money working for you is a good thing to set up for your future.

I’m alive and thankful. It just goes to show how important communication and situational awareness are.

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This trade is hard on the body so having some money working for you is a good thing to set up for your future.

this trade is hard on the body so having some money working for you is a good thing to set up for your future.

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What’s your proudest moment on the job so far?

Man, I can’t just pick one single moment in my career. There’s so much to be proud of. I’d say the day I passed my Journeyman evaluation felt like such an accomplishment.
 

The crazy thing is, once you get that ticket, the real learning begins.

I’ve gotten the chance to work on some really cool jobs. I can’t pick just one.

What’s the most high-pressure or intense situation you’ve had to handle?

The most intense situation I’ve had to deal with was probably the day my buddy Dunc went down with a rotten pole.
 

The wire got caught up in the down guy and just turned into a saw blade, and his arm was cut really bad.
 

Luckily, we all have first aid training and reacted fast.
 

Worst part was there was no cell service and no radio service, so getting an ambulance to where we were was a big challenge. Happy to say he made it through that one. I’ll never forget that day.

What’s the hardest part (physical/mental) of the job and how do you handle it?

Man, this one is a hard one. It really depends on what’s going on.

 

I’d say when you’re working on a storm, just staying sharp while working long hours is probably the toughest thing.

 

For my day to day, it's probably trying not to get complacent. When you’re in the same environment day in and day out, it’s tough not to get too comfortable.
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People totally misunderstand the brains and dedication this trade takes.
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I think someone who’s a self starter and can focus on the task at hand is gonna do very well in this trade.

I’m alive and thankful. It just goes to show how important communication and situational awareness are.

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I think someone who’s a self starter and can focus on the task at hand is gonna do very well in this trade.

i think someone who’s a self starter and can focus on the task at hand is gonna do very well in this trade.

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What do you wish someone had told you when you first started on the job?

One thing I wish someone told me when I started is get your money situation figured out and start investing when you’re young.

 

Yeah, we make good money, but your money can make you even more if you’re smart about it.

 

This trade is hard on the body, so having some money working for you is a good thing to set up for your future.

What kind of person thrives in this work? What kind of person doesn’t?

I think someone who’s a self-starter and can focus on the task at hand is gonna do very well in this trade.

 

There’s a lot of stuff going on all the time, and keeping your head in the game helps a ton.

What advice would you give to someone who's just thinking about joining the trades?

My advice to anyone thinking about getting in the trade is do it, you won’t regret it!

 

There are so many avenues that you can take. Best job I’ve ever had.!
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my advice to anyone thinking about getting in the trade is do it, you won’t regret it, there are so many avenues that you can take. best job i’ve ever had.

I’m alive and thankful. It just goes to show how important communication and situational awareness are.

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My advice to anyone thinking about getting in the trade is do it, you won’t regret it! There are so many avenues that you can take. Best job I’ve ever had.

My advice to anyone thinking about getting in the trade is do it, you won’t regret it, 

There are so many avenues that you can take. 

Best job I’ve ever had.

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Have some heart for the trade, and care about your work,  

not just the income.
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Have you worked in both union and non-union environments? 

Before I started working in the trade, I worked a few different jobs, all non-union. It doesn't even compare.

 

I never got paid overtime, had benefits, or had any sort of safety training before starting with Manitoba Hydro.

 

It’s a totally different world, honestly.

What’s something that went wrong on the job but taught you something important?

We were moving phases out on a tangent three-phase pole for pole setting.

 

Everything looked good, or so we thought. While moving the last phase out, the top of the pole split.

 

We had to think on our feet with that one. I found a ratchet strap in the bin of my truck, and we secured the top of the pole and changed that pole over to the new one as fast as we could.
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I’m alive and thankful. It just goes to show how important 

communication and situational awareness are.
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People totally misunderstand the brains and dedication this trade takes.
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Before I started working in the trade I worked a few different jobs, all 

non— union. It doesn’t even compare. I never got paid over time, had benefits, or had any sort of safety training before starting with Manitoba Hydro. It’s a totally different world honestly.

I’m alive and thankful. It just goes to show how important communication and situational awareness are.

Title
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I’m alive and thankful. It just goes to show how important communication and situational awareness are.

before I started working in the trade I worked a few different jobs, all 

non— union.It doesn’t even compare. I never got paid over time, had benefits, or had any sort of safety training before starting with Manitoba Hydro. It’s a totally different world honestly.

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How do you handle stacking OT or traveling for the job while having a family?

I have a rockstar of a wife who can handle the lifestyle with this career. Since we had our daughter, I took a job closer to home. We still travel for storms and fires.

 

But honestly, I need to be better at being present when I’m home. The biggest thing is put the damn phone away and actually spend quality time with your family when you’re home. At this point in my life, I’m all for it!

What’s your career path look like (past, present, 
and future plans)?

My career has been pretty great so far. I worked my way up from an operator to apprentice, journeyman, and now a lead hand. It’s crazy how fast time goes by.

 

My goal is to become a foreman, but I’m not ready to put the tools down just yet. I feel like I don’t get up in the bucket enough as it is now.

 

I have a couple boxes I’d like to check off yet still. I definitely want to get some experience with stick work on distribution, maybe even get in on some transmission barehand work, and I’ve been telling my wife since I started that I want to get Class D certified for long lining.

 

Definitely not ready for an office any time soon.

We're High Voltage Industries

High Voltage Industries started because the most dangerous and essential work in America is also the most invisible. You put your lives on the line every single day and people don't even know what you do. 

 

We're here to share your stories and honor the sacrifices you make so people can flip a switch every day. And we make gear for those who literally risk their lives to keep the world running.

This is your story

Working in conditions others won't face, taking risks others can’t even imagine, solving problems others can't understand, carrying responsibility others can't handle. The grid doesn't maintain itself.

 

We're telling that story.

Best for the crew

we’re opening the floor to the folks who do the work

⚡ Features of real workers in the trade 
⚡ Craft features 

⚡ Tips for the trade

Just real experiences, real lessons learned, and real advice from people who do this work every day.

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