Every staple and nail left in a power pole tells a story - a garage sale, a lost dog, a community event or a local election.
But to the linemen climbing that pole, it can tell a very different story: a snagged glove, a torn sleeve, a damaged piece of safety equipment, or a serious injury.
At North East Mississippi Electric Power Association, the safety of our employees and the public is always our first priority. That's why we're asking our members and communities to help us keep utility poles free from signs, posters, flyers and other attachments.
Power Poles Are Working Equipment
Utility poles may seem like a convenient place to post a yard sale sign, campaign flyer, missing pet notice or community announcement, but these poles are an essential part of the electric system. Our linemen may need to climb them to perform maintenance, make repairs or restore power following an outage.
When nails, staples, screws, tacks or other sharp objects are driven into a pole, they can create hazards for the employees who must work on it.
Even after a sign or flyer has been removed, the hardware can remain behind for months or even years. A small staple that is easy to overlook from the ground can become a dangerous obstacle for a lineman working several feet above it.
A Small Staple Can Create a Big Safety Risk
Linemen rely on specialized personal protective equipment and climbing gear to perform their jobs safely. Protruding nails, staples and screws can catch on clothing, puncture gloves or interfere with climbing equipment.
During an outage or emergency restoration effort, our crews also need to be able to access poles safely and efficiently. Avoidable hazards can make an already challenging job more difficult.
Help Us Protect Those Who Keep the Power On
There are plenty of safer places to share information throughout our communities. Before attaching your next flyer, poster or sign, please choose a community bulletin board, designated sign location, or another appropriate space instead of a utility pole.
And remember, power poles are not community bulletin boards. They are working equipment that our crews depend on to do their jobs safely.
Something as simple as choosing another location for a flyer can help protect the men and women who work every day to keep electricity flowing to our homes, businesses, and communities.
Please help North East Power protect our linemen and keep utility poles free of nails, staples, signs, and other attachments. Because when it comes to safety, even something small can make a big difference.