MCEC has always held the safety of the public paramount. An important part of protecting the public is to inform them of the dangerous potential of power lines. MCEC is a member of JULIE, call before you dig. The JULIE program notifies utilities when digging, trenching, or boring projects will occur in their territory. JULIE does NOT locate the lines; as locating lines is the responsibility of each service provider (electric, water, sewer, etc...). Some helpful safety links as well as common precautions have been provided below.

*ARE YOU DIGGING? Call JULIE @ (800) 892-0123

General Overhead Safety Guidelines

• Keep a safe distance between yourself and power lines. Ten feet is generally considered the minimum safe distance.
• Before you begin working, check carefully for overhead power lines in the area you will be working. Don't assume that wires are telephone or cable lines: check with your electric utility for advice.
• If you need to cut a tree branch, be sure that it won't fall into power lines. Should a branch fall into our lines, call us at (618) 939-7171 to remove it.
• Even if a power line appears to be broken or grounded, keep your distance. The line could still be energized. Contact with an energized line can injure or kill.
• When working with ladders, make sure they can't come into contact with power l ines in case they fall over.
• Work only in good weather. Thunderstorms, rain, winds and damp or icy ground can cause you to lose control and come into contact with power lines.
• Although overhead power lines may appear to be insulated, often these coverings are intended only to protect metal wires from weather conditions and may not protect you from electric shock.

  LINKS

• National Safety Council
• Safe Electric
• OSHA