MEL COLEMAN CEO
Whatever it Takes
Powering life from a lineworker’s perspective
Lineworkers are ranked as having one of the 10 most hazardous jobs in the country. The lineworkers at North Arkansas 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.
The Danger
A lot of people know linework is hazardous because the work is 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 work 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. Our crews 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 hazardous, but that’s what lineworkers are trained to do.
Many may not realize it, but lineworkers undergo years of training before they can officially be called a lineworker. New employees typically start as a groundperson, helping crews with tools and keeping job sites safe, then transition to apprentice status, which typically spans four years. After an apprenticeship, with thousands of hours of training under their belts, they transition to journeyman lineworker status –– that’s when they’re considered officially trained.
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 lineworkers are physically demanding, but you won’t hear any of them complain about that. Loading heavy materials and climbing poles and in and out of buckets are just a few of the strenuous tasks. A lot of times, lineworkers go places the trucks can’t, so they might be hiking through the woods loaded down with 40 pounds of personal protective equipment.
The Sacrifices
There are some sacrifices to being lineworkers. They are often first on the scene of an emergency, seeing things that are devastating like car accidents, structure fires and damage from severe storms. They don’t know what type of situations they’re going to face or when they’re going to face them. They get outage calls all hours and in the middle of the night. Our lineworkers have missed a lot of school events, ballgames and family dinners. Our lineworkers make sure there is nothing standing in the way of helping our friends and neighbors get back to normal life.
It’s Worth It
Our crews take a lot of pride in their work. Even when it’s cold and wet, they know they’re working to keep people warm. There’s a lot of satisfaction in hearing someone yell, “Thank you” from the window after the lights come back on or seeing people flipping the light switches on their porches after an outage is restored. No matter how tired lineworkers are or how long they work, that feeling always makes it worth it.
Our 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.
If you see our lineworkers out in the community, be sure to shake their hands and thank them for their hard work and dedication.
State and local government agencies, the hospitality industry and other organizations have planned for months, or even years, for the influx of visitors. Area school districts will close for the day. Road construction projects will be suspended. Hospitals will have extra staff on hand.
NAEC created a committee of employees to address any needed preparations for before, during and after the eclipse. We also reached out to electric co-ops that were in the path of totality of the 2017 eclipse for their experiences and attended a day-long, table-top drill in October, hosted by Baxter Health and other community partners. We decided to close NAEC offices April 8 and keep employees on standby in the event of a power outage. Members still will be able to use the cash deposit boxes at each office and report any outage to the dispatchers on duty.
NAEC also has worked to educate our employees and interns on how to view the eclipse without damaging their eyes. During the partial eclipse phases before and after totality, people must use specialized eye protection, such as eclipse safety glasses, that is ISO 12312-2-certified. The eye protection only may be removed during the brief period of totality when the moon completely blocks the sun.
Ways to prepare before the solar eclipse include:
•Ensure you have eclipse safety glasses or indirect viewing method on hand. Some area chambers of commerce, public libraries and other organizations are either giving away glasses or selling them for a small fee. You can visit nasa.gov for instructions on making a pinhole projector using a cardboard box and other basic supplies.
•Fuel up. Gas and diesel supplies may run low with more visitors in the area. Fill your tank(s) before April 5, when many visitors are expected to begin arriving.
•Pick up groceries, prescriptions and cash in advance. Not only will traffic likely be more congested and wait times longer than normal, but also stock at restaurants, stores and ATMs might run low.
•Be aware that cellphone service might be poor. High demand, especially April 8, could make for spotty service. Try texting or using a land line instead.
For information on community events, lodging, weather, traffic and more surrounding the April 8 eclipse, visit arkansas.com/eclipse
well an file. allow poles repaired or before outages.
HEADQUARTERS
225 S. Main St., Salem
DISTRICT OFFICES
824 Hwy 56, Ash Flat
1520 Hwy 62/412 E., Mountain Home
CONTACT NAEC
(870) 895-3221 info@naeci.com
PAY/VIEW BILL naeci.com ▶ Account Login
REPORT OUTAGE
(870) 895-3221
(844) 335-4461
NAEC App naeci.com ▶ Outage Viewer
FOLLOW NAEC Twitter.com/NorthARElectric Facebook.com/NorthARElectric
High school seniors have until April 11 to submit an application for NAEC's Operation Round Up® Scholarship Program.
The scholarship application is at naeci.com.
Please slow down and stay focused when approaching roadside work zones. Let’s all do our part to keep roadside crews, drivers and passengers safe during the busy construction season.
Be safe: Get utilities marked
April is a great time to start outdoor projects. It’s also Safe Digging Month. Remember to practice safe digging by contacting Arkansas 811 first by phone, online at arkansas811.com or through the Arkansas 811 app. Each method is free and available at all times.
Whether you’re planting a tree, building a fence or doing any other kind of digging, you are required by law to contact Arkansas 811 before you begin. Contact the service at least two days before you plan to dig, and mark the desired excavation area with white spray paint.
After your request is submitted, buried lines will be located and marked in a designated color. Underground electric lines are marked with red paint or flags. Any utility lines behind the meter belong to the property owner and will not be marked.
After the lines are marked, use safe digging methods to dig outside of the indicated markings. Let’s work together to protect underground utility lines and ensure a safe environment for all.