Penn Power Teams with PennDOT to Host Electrical Safety Demo in Western Pennsylvania
When it comes to electrical safety, knowledge is the best kind of power – no matter your age or the industry in which you work. That’s why Penn Power recently teamed up with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to host a live electrical safety demonstration for nearly 100 state employees during its bi-annual Safety Stand-Down Day in western Pennsylvania.
To show the dangers associated with electricity, PennDOT employees gathered in the parking lot of the Mercer County Maintenance Facility to watch Penn Power personnel demonstrate the power of 7,200 volts of electricity using a mobile electrical safety exhibit. They created bright arcs by using an energized transformer to send electricity through various materials, including a car door and metal ladder to simulate what occurs when they contact a power line.
The demonstration highlighted the importance of staying far away from power lines and electrical equipment, including downed wires laying across roadways during severe weather or following a vehicle accident.
“Safety is a core value at FirstEnergy, and this event helps extend our focus on safety beyond our employees and into the communities we serve,” said Candace Webb, manager of public safety at FirstEnergy. “Our safety demonstration allows people of all ages and career backgrounds to see the dangers of electricity firsthand in a controlled environment, in hopes they retain the knowledge and share it with their colleagues, friends and family.”
Like FirstEnergy and its utilities, PennDOT has a strong focus on safety to prevent work zone accidents and help ensure employees make it home safely each night, said Samantha VanDyke, a PennDOT roadway program technician who helped organized the safety day.
“During the winter storm season, our crews plow and salt the roads in all types of weather conditions and often come across downed trees and debris blocking their access,” she said. “The electrical safety demonstration was a highly visual and effective way to spotlight the potential electrical hazards our workers could encounter in the field.”
The company’s live electrical safety demonstration is part of its “Stop. Look. Live.” campaign to educate the public about staying safe around electricity and near power lines and equipment. The campaign kicked off last fall and features engaging and memorable initiatives to help protect groups that are most at-risk of encountering safety hazards, including first-responder organizations and contractors. The campaign also features an educational program for children.
To learn more about FirstEnergy's "Stop. Look. Live." campaign and review important tips to stay safe around electricity, please visit www.firstenergycorp.com/publicsafety. Pictures from the PennDOT event can be viewed/downloaded here.
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