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1. Is being a power lineman a dangerous job?

Engaging in the maintenance of power lines to uphold consistent and reliable service presents a unique set of challenges. Lineworkers exhibit exceptional skill as they navigate poles under varying weather conditions, ensuring uninterrupted power day and night. However, it's important to consider certain factors that can enhance their working conditions and overall safety.

Occasionally, power poles are utilized as a platform for attaching signs and posters, which, while seemingly innocuous, can inadvertently introduce complications for lineworkers. The presence of protruding nails or heavy staples intended for signage attachment can potentially compromise lineworkers' protective gear, thereby increasing the potential for injury. Similarly, the risk of entanglement caused by boots or climbing spikes warrants attention to prevent accidental falls.

Lineworkers take immense pride in delivering high-quality, efficient, and dependable electric service. To facilitate their crucial work, we kindly request refraining from using power poles as supports for signs and posters. This collaborative effort ensures a safer environment for both the lineworkers and the community they diligently serve.

2. What should I do if I see a downed power line?

Avoid approaching any power lines that have fallen, even if you believe they are no longer conducting electricity.

If you come across a downed power line, dial 911 without delay. It's important to treat all fallen power lines as live and hazardous. These lines have the potential to electrify the surrounding ground and objects. Maintain a distance of at least 30 feet from any downed or partially suspended power line, as well as from any other item that could be energized. (Please remember to contact 911 solely if you visually confirm the presence of a fallen wire; refrain from assuming a wire is down solely based on a power outage.)

If you see a black coating on wires, it is not insulation. This coating is to protect the wire from elements like snow, ice, wind and rain. You cannot rely on this for personal protection. It doesn’t matter if the wire is touching the ground or not, and it doesn’t matter if it’s not arcing either—it can still be energized. Anyone touching the downed wire, or items or debris that wire is touching, can be seriously injured or killed.

Also, the ground around a downed wire can be energized. For distribution wires, stay AT LEAST 30 feet away (in all directions) from downed wires or else you can be electrocuted from the ground being energized. For transmission wires, stay AT LEAST 100 feet away. For reference, 30 feet is about the length of a normal school bus.

3. What causes power outages?

Kaysville Power is committed to providing reliable electric service, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, events outside of our control can cause disruptions to your service.

The most common cause of a power outage is a storm. Thunderstorms, windstorms and snowstorms can all cause damage to power lines and electrical equipment. Heavy rain can also saturate the ground and cause trees to fall on power lines.

Other common power outage causes include:

• Vehicle accidents that involve utility poles
• Animals chewing on or contacting electrical equipment
• Foil balloons contacting power lines
• Trenching, digging and other construction projects that damage underground cables