Lineworkers are ranked as having one of the 10 most dangerous jobs in the country. The lineworkers at A&N Electric Cooperative work rain or shine, in often challenging conditions to ensure you have reliable electricity. We’re celebrating Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 8, 2024.
THE DANGER
A lot of people know linework is dangerous because lineworkers work near high-voltage electricity. Move just the wrong way or lose focus for a split second, and it could be deadly. You have to be aware of your surroundings and the safety of the person next to you. Lineworkers often work on energized power lines, and you can’t always tell they are energized by just looking at them. You’re working with an element of danger that requires concentration, and there is no margin for error. The environment compounds the pressure, because when you need power most is usually when the weather is worst. They often work in storms with rain, wind, extreme heat and cold, in the dark, or on the side of the road next to fast-moving traffic. Yes, it’s dangerous, but that’s what they’re trained to do.
Many may not realize it, but lineworkers undergo years of training before they can officially be called a lineworker. They typically start as a groundperson, helping crews with tools and keeping job sites safe, then they transition to apprentice status, which typically spans four years. After an apprenticeship, with more than 7,000 hours of training under their belts, they transition to journeyman lineworker status — that’s when they’re considered officially trained in their field.
But the education is ongoing. Lineworkers continuously receive training to stay mindful of safety requirements and up to date on the latest equipment and procedures.
THE PHYSICAL DEMAND
The daily expectations of a lineworker are physically demanding, but you won’t hear any of them complain about that. They know what they signed up for — loading heavy materials, climbing poles and in and out of buckets. A lot of times, they go places the trucks can’t, so a lineworker might be hiking through the woods loaded down with 40 pounds of personal protective equipment. But that’s the job. Most of them are just glad to be outside.
THE SACRIFICES
There are some sacrifices to being a lineworker. They’re often first on the scene of an emergency, seeing things that are devastating like car accidents, structure fires and damage from severe storms. You don’t know what type of situation you’re going to face or when you’re going to face it. They get calls at all hours, even in the middle of the night. Many miss plenty of their children’s games and family dinners, but family is very supportive, and it pays off in the end. Lineworkers make sure there is nothing standing in the way of helping friends and neighbors get back to normal life.
IT’S WORTH IT
One thing that makes this job worthwhile is the camaraderie. In this work, you have to depend on the person beside you in life-or-death circumstances. It’s a culture of trust, teamwork and service. It’s all about keeping the teammate beside you safe and the lights on for everybody else.
A&N Electric Cooperative and its employees are members of this community. We live in the same neighborhoods. We shop at the same stores. Our kids go to the same schools. If your lights are off, there is a good chance ours are off, too. So, you can trust that we are doing our best to get the lights back on as quickly and safely as possible — so you can get back to normal life.