Jun 30, 2021 | Safety and Security
Safety is a core value for us at PPL. Because of that, we have many procedures in place to keep employees safe on the job. One particular safety procedure, referred to as “circle for safety,” requires that employees check the surroundings of their company vehicle before getting in and driving away.
Recently, one of our dedicated lineworkers, Joe Keeney Jr., prevented the loss of an animal’s life by circling his work vehicle for safety.
It all started with an unidentified noise…
Joe heard a strange sound coming from his vehicle and couldn’t figure out what it was. He saw nothing unsafe or unusual, but as he stepped back and paused, he heard the noise again. However, he was still unable to locate where the strange sound was coming from.
He enlisted the help of a coworker to see if there was something he missed. As the two examined the vehicle, they heard the noise again, but this time they identified the source.
As it turns out, Joe’s work truck had picked up a furry hitchhiker. A small kitten crawled underneath the truck and up onto the drive shaft to stay warm.
And boy was this kitten a cute one! For those wondering, Joe and his wife, Laura, adopted the kitten and named it Kilowatt.
We’re so proud of Joe for his questioning attitude, safety mindset, and vigilance, which ultimately saved Kilowatt’s life.
Jun 24, 2021 | Reliability
Trees are the number one cause of storm-related outages. That’s why we take a proactive approach to keeping lines clear.
Thanks to the combined efforts of our vegetation management program, in 2020, we reduced tree-related outages by 14 percent over the prior year.
Here’s how we do it:
Routine trimming
We trim trees across 33,000 miles of overhead power lines to reduce the risk of outages. We have an established time- and- condition based maintenance program to make sure we’re trimming trees at the right times. We also use data analytics and innovative technology to identify the areas with a higher probability of tree-caused outages.
Don’t attempt to trim or remove trees near our lines on your own. Our qualified line clearance tree trimmers have specialized training to work around our power lines. If you want to remove a tree growing within 10 feet of a power line, call us first.
Goodbye hazard trees
Imagine how difficult and dangerous it is when a large tree brings down power lines in a storm. Assessing the damage, clearing the area for safe repairs, and restoring power to those impacted by a downed line can take hours.
That’s why we proactively remove hazard trees that pose a threat of falling and damaging our lines with permission from the property owner. The removal of these trees in advance of a storm prevents significant damage, removes a safety risk for the public and our employees, and reduces the likelihood of power outages.
In addition to tree trimming, we install animal guards, inspect and maintain our lines and equipment, and continue to improve our smart grid technology to provide you with reliable service all throughout the year.
May 24, 2021 | Safety and Security
When it comes to responding to emergencies and keeping the public safe, police, firefighters, and ambulance personnel are critical.
And we want to make sure they’re safe while protecting the public, particularly when they are working around overhead and underground power lines and other electrical equipment.
We’re hoping a new program will do just that. We recently introduced our new electrical safety presentation designed specifically for 911 centers and emergency management agencies.
The response was impressive. Representatives from 23 of the 29 counties we serve joined the free, one-hour Zoom presentation we offered in early May. In all, 86 people were on the call to learn valuable safety lessons.
“It’s always beneficial for our 911 dispatch staff to be involved in this type of training,” said Daniel S. Bellesfield, Lehigh County’s 911 Operations Coordinator. “While we are not physically on scene, being trained and familiar with equipment and terminology will help to expedite responses to emergencies.”
Representatives from PPL’s Public Safety, Emergency Preparedness, Operations and Regional Affairs groups shared valuable information and tips.
“We admire all of the work our first responders do, and we appreciate the willingness of 911 centers and emergency management agencies to join us to learn about what they have to keep in mind when they’re directing first responders at emergency scenes,” said Mark Santayana, public safety manager at PPL Electric Utilities. “And for those who are well versed in these safety measures, this program helps reinforce their importance.”
First responders: Check out additional resources and information specifically for you, as well as an online electrical safety certification course here: ppl.e-smartresponders.com.
May 19, 2021 | Safety and Security
We’re powering our Live Line Electrical Safety Exhibit back up and taking it on the road for a 2021 tour.
And we want to give your organization a chance to reserve your own demonstration.
The exhibit is a 7,200-volt electrical distribution grid that features live electrical wires, utility poles and transformers, used to present dangers associated with electricity. Trained PPL staff wearing protective equipment use ladders, gloves, shovels and other tools in a controlled environment to recreate sparks, flames, smoke and crackling that occur when items come in contact with live electrical lines. They’ll also show what happens when a tree branch and a Mylar balloon contact wires.
The exhibit will be making stops across our 29-county service territory through early November, following a lengthy hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And all demonstrations are free.
We recently kicked off our tour by visiting Rutherford Fire Co. in Harrisburg and providing a demonstration to 32 first responders.
To schedule a demonstration, email Doug Haupt at dlhaupt@pplweb.com or call 610-297-2461. Available dates for 2021 are limited, but we are starting to accept bookings for 2022 as well.
The following are some requests for groups hosting the exhibit:
- An audience of at least 50 people is required.
- We need an outdoor area suitable to accommodate the exhibit.
- We ask that hosts invite surrounding first responder organizations to attend.
- We appreciate if host organizations allow the general public to attend the demonstration.
The exhibit will be hosted outdoors and our presenters will follow all of the most up-to-date COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pennsylvania Health Department.
Don’t miss your chance to see the Live Line Exhibit back in action!
May 13, 2021 | Safety and Security
With the weather warming up, yard sale season is fast approaching, and advertisers are also in search of outdoor space to help spread their message. It’s important to remember that utility poles are off-limits. Attaching signs, advertisements, flyers and other materials to utility poles can cause potentially serious safety problems.
What makes posting on utility poles unsafe? Items are typically attached with nails or staples, which can injure line workers who may have to climb the pole to make a repair. They also can puncture critical safety gear, like rubber gloves and sleeves. Even a tiny hole in this protective equipment can present a serious and potentially deadly threat.
Posting on utility poles is also illegal. State law makes it a summary offense to drive a nail or tack, or attach any metal or hard substance, into an electric utility pole.
We’re asking for your help. If you’ve placed something on one of our wooden poles, please take it down and keep our crews’ safety in mind. Thank you!
