Although severe weather can happen at any time, April is often a month when strong storms with rain, wind, and lightning cause outages, translating to a busy time of year for our line workers. April is also line worker appreciation month, so it’s a great time to reflect on the service and sacrifices made by these brave men and women who work at utilities across America to keep the lights on. South Central Power Company line workers are on call 24/7, 365 days a year. So when that late night storm results in power outages, while most of the country hunkers down and waits for the power to come back on, it’s line workers who head out into the storm where they work tirelessly until power is restored.
One of the most dangerous jobs
Braving stormy weather and other challenging conditions, line workers often must climb 40 or more feet in the air, carrying heavy equipment to restore power. Listed as one of the 10 most dangerous jobs in the U.S., electric line workers must perform detailed tasks next to high voltage power lines. To help keep them safe, line workers wear specialized protective clothing and equipment at all times when on the job. This includes special fire-resistant clothing that will self-extinguish, limiting potential injuries from burns and sparks. Insulated rubber gloves are worn to protect them from electrical shock. While the gear performs a critical function, it also adds additional weight and bulk, making the job more complex.
A commitment to safety first
Line workers know that all the safety gear they use each day is critical — yet it’s not the equipment alone that keeps them safe. It’s the training they receive, and their commitment to doing things the right way every time that allows them to go home safe to family and friends at the end of every shift. They also know that it takes teamwork — a commitment not only to individual safety, but to looking out for co-workers and working together that protects the whole crew.
At South Central Power, we believe in putting safety first. To us, “safety first” means training and equipment, but it also means supporting a culture where employees are empowered to speak up with safety concerns, ask for safety program improvements, additional training and equipment, and more. South Central Power’s workforce comprises multiple employee-led safety committees, including one composed of line workers and other front-line employees. The committees meet several times each year and members are empowered to bring ideas that can be implemented companywide, and also to be peer leaders in their work groups when it comes to safety.
“Each person on the safety committee brings something different to the team,” said John Dudzik, a substation maintenance worker in Barnesville. “But I know that for all of us, being able to enjoy retirement with family is goal No. 1. We have to work safe to make that possible, so we take safety seriously at work, at home, and everywhere.”
Line Worker Appreciation Day is April 18. So during the month of April, if you see a line worker, please pause to say thank you to the power behind your power. Let them know you appreciate the hard work they do to keep the lights on, regardless of the conditions. To send a personal message to our line workers, leave a comment on our line worker appreciation day social media post on April 18 with the hashtag #thankalineworker. We’ll be sharing all messages we receive with our line crews throughout the month of April.
From the April 2024 issue of Ohio Cooperative Living.