When the snow flies and the winds howl, plow drivers from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) bundle up and hit the highways in their trucks to clear the way for the rest of us to travel safely.
But sometimes they encounter more than snow and slush on the roadways. Severe weather can topple trees and bring down power lines, creating potentially deadly hazards for PennDOT employees and public safety responders who might arrive first on the scene.
That’s why Penelec recently teamed with PennDOT to present its live electrical safety demonstration to about 150 PennDOT foremen, managers, equipment operators and maintenance employees based in Clearfield County at PennDOT’s recent bi-annual Safety Stand-Down Day.
Learn more about FirstEnergy’s “Stop. Look. Live.” public safety campaign at firstenergycorp.com/publicsafety.?
Like FirstEnergy and its electric companies, PennDOT has a relentless focus on safety to prevent work zone accidents and help ensure employees make it back home safely each night.
Terry Moore, PennDOT district safety coordinator, states: “During the winter storm season, our crews plow and salt the roads in all types of weather conditions and often come across downed trees and debris blocking their access.
“The electrical safety demonstration was a highly visual and effective way to spotlight the potential electrical hazards our workers, many of them who are new, could encounter both in the field and at home.”
Seasoned Penelec line workers highlighted the visible and hidden dangers posed by live electricity using a mobile safety exhibit in a parking lot adjacent to the company’s Clearfield facility.
They created bright arcs using an energized 7,200-volt transformer to depict real-life scenarios such as aluminum ladders accidentally touching live wires, a car door energized by fallen wires and a metal shovel inadvertently digging into an underground power cable.
The key takeaway for the gathering of plow drivers, equipment operators and maintenance workers: Stay far away from power lines and electrical equipment, including downed wires laying across roadways during severe weather or following a vehicle accident.
Karen Finney, a local Penelec operations manager, states: “When in doubt, just stand back and wait for us to arrive.” Her advice aligns precisely with FirstEnergy’s “Stop. Look. Live.”?campaign to educate the public about staying safe around electricity and near power lines and equipment.
If you’re ever unsure whether an activity poses a risk, you should always:
- STOP what you are doing and stay away from electrical equipment.
- LOOK for hazards and call 911 for help.
- LIVE and prevent serious injury by taking safety precautions.
Candy Webb, manager of Public Safety at FirstEnergy, states: “Safety is a core value at FirstEnergy, and this event helps extend our focus on safety beyond our employees and into the communities we serve.
“Our safety demonstration allows people of all ages and career backgrounds to see the dangers of electricity firsthand in a controlled environment, in hopes they retain the knowledge and share it with their colleagues, friends and family.”
The company’s “Stop. Look. Live.” campaign kicked off in 2021 and features engaging and memorable initiatives to help protect groups that are most at-risk of encountering safety hazards, including first-responder organizations and contractors. The campaign also features an educational program for children.