Georgia Magazine - April 2024 - 28

COOPERATIVE Concerns
By Harry Reeves
Fast facts about lineworkers
Y
ou probably don't think about them until your power
goes out, but electric lineworkers protect our homes and
communities 24 hours a day. Like other first responders
who keep us safe, lineworkers endure all kinds of weather and
challenging conditions.
On April 8, we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day in
Georgia to honor the men and women who power our lives. Here
are some quick facts about lineworkers and the work they do.
Lineworker history
Lineworkers first appeared during the 1840s rush to spread
telegraph service across the U.S., stringing wires between trees
and other natural objects. It didn't take long for everyone to
realize that tall poles were safer and more practical.
What electric lineworkers do
Restoring electricity after a power outage is just one of the
many duties of lineworkers, who also:
* install and connect new power lines to homes and businesses;
* maintain and upgrade the electric grid;
* diagnose and pinpoint power-delivery issues;
* plan and manage large-scale projects; and
* ensure safe work practices in often challenging conditions.
Lineworkers are responGreystone
Power
lineworker Micah
Ashton competes at
the 2023 Georgia
Lineman's Rodeo in
Fort Valley.
sible for maintaining and
upgrading the nation's electric
grid, which connects more
than 7,300 power plants to 145
million consumers through
60,000 miles of high-voltage
lines, millions of miles of
distribution lines and more
than 50 million transformers.
In Georgia, electric
membership cooperative
lineworkers maintain the
largest distribution network in
the state with 196,921 miles of
electric power lines in 157 of
159 counties.
Geared for safety
Lineworkers climb with
up to 40 pounds of safety gear
and tools. That's like carrying
a 5-gallon water jug! Here's
what they typically wear to
stay safe while working: hard
hats; safety glasses; clothing
that protects against flames
28 Georgia Magazine April 2024
Harry Reeves
and arc flashes; rubber gloves and sleeves; climbing belts; and
fall-protection harnesses.
One hot stick
One essential tool for lineworkers is the hot stick, an
insulated fiberglass pole used to safely move energized wires
and other equipment. Hot sticks vary in size, depending on
the job.
The wild side of work
Snakes and squirrels can climb poles or jump onto poles
from nearby trees and are a major cause of power outages.
Lineworkers encounter plenty of both while working. They've
also been known to rescue kittens that climbed too high in trees
and curious bear cubs who reach the tops of utility poles.
Lineworkers have used bucket trucks to make these rescues.
When your office is the great outdoors, these encounters are
part of the job.
Wired for competition
Many lineworkers enjoy showing off their skills at " rodeo "
competitions. These events enable the public to see what it
takes to get the job done. For lineworkers, rodeo competitions
inspire camaraderie and strengthen passion for the trade.
The 2024 Georgia Lineman's Rodeo is May 3-4 at Camp
John Hope in Fort Valley, and everyone is welcome to attend.
On-the-job training
The U.S. Department of Energy describes linework as one
of the nation's highest-paid professions that doesn't require
postsecondary education. Becoming a journeyman lineworker
usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, training
and a paid apprenticeship, which typically spans four years.
Apprentice lineworkers receive hands-on training and
experience in the field before advancing to journeyman status.
Lineworker salaries range from $40,000 to $144,000, depending
on location, skill set and experience.
Inspiring safety
Each year, roughly 60,000 lineworkers respond to
devastating storms and the damage they leave behind. In
addition to extreme-weather exposure, lineworkers can face
a variety of dangers. Safety is always the No. 1 priority, which
is why apprenticeship programs were created and why lineworkers
continuously receive training on the latest equipment
and procedures.
Lineworkers power our lives. The next time you see one of
them, remember to thank them for the essential work they do.
Harry Reeves is vice president of training and safety at
Tucker-based Georgia Electric Membership Corp.
CHANEY WYNNE / GEORGIA EMC
Georgia Magazine - April 2024

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