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May 8, 2017

Signs on utility poles are illegal and hazardous for workers

 Signs on utility poles are illegal and hazardous for workers

The path of power to your home is guarded by silent sentinels — utility poles — that are under constant attack by Mother Nature and, sometimes, by people.
 
“Petit Jean Electric maintains more than 3,576 miles of electric distribution lines, which includes approximately 64,000 of utility poles,” said Bill Conine, CEO/general manager of Petit Jean Electric of Clinton. “The integrity of the poles is crucial to ensure reliable delivery of electric service to our members.”
 
Conine urged members and the public to refrain from attaching political, festival, yard sales or any type of sign to the cooperative’s power distribution poles. This type of activity decreases the lifespan of a pole and causes a safety hazard for linemen.
 
“Placing signs on the utility poles creates a safety hazard for linemen who climb the poles,” Conine said. “If a lineman snags his equipment on a nail or staple on a pole it could cause damage to the protective equipment. Also, a lineman’s climbing equipment could contact a nail and cause him to lose his footing.”
 
According to Conine, poles typically last at least 40 years, barring unpreventable storm damage and other accidents. However, nails and other items can decrease the life cycle of a pole and ultimately cost the cooperative’s members.
 
“Our goal is to provide safe, reliable electric service to our members,” Conine said. “If we have an accident due to an issue with pole integrity or are forced to replace a pole earlier than expected, then this impacts reliability and cost of service to our members.”
 
Placing signs on utility poles is a violation of Arkansas state law and is punishable by a fine of $50 to $500. Each day that a sign remains in an unlawful place constitutes a separate offense.

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