The history of lineworkers, also known as linemen and linewomen, can be traced back to the 1840s when the first telegraph lines were installed on wooden poles. The first lineworkers were responsible for stringing wires and setting poles to support the telegraph’s adoption across the United States. The term continued in use with the invention of the telephone in the 1870s and the beginnings of electrification in the 1890s. This new electrical power work proved to be much more dangerous than telegraph or telephone work because of the risk of electrocution. In fact, between the 1890s and the 1930s, line work was considered one of the most dangerous professions in existence.
Today, we are celebrating National Lineworker Appreciation Day to honor all of the brave men and women who keep our power flowing safely, reliably, and cleanly. This includes all of our electric workers – lineworkers/electrical workers who work high up in utility poles, mechanics who work underground to fix equipment, substation mechanics who keep our electric stations working safely, and the people who climb over 100 feet in the air working on our transmission towers just to name a few.
Below is an in-depth Q&A with some of our top leaders in Electric who understand the importance of our lineworkers and electrical workers, and the work they do every day.
I am immensely proud of our lineworkers and electric workers who come in daily with the right mindset, ready to tackle challenges.
Paul Toscarelli, vice president of Electric T&D Operations
Question: Lineworkers/electrical workers have what’s called a “high risk” job…can you explain why this job is “high risk?” and, more importantly, how we keep our employees safe?
Paul Toscarelli, vice president of Electric T&D Operations: Electrical lineworkers perform a high-risk job that demands skill, stamina and a specific mindset. They ensure our lights stay on, whether on clear days or during storms, facing numerous risks and hazards.
Their safety starts with rigorous training and qualifications, proving their proficiency before handling assignments. Properly assessing each job is crucial to understand and address inherent hazards, whether physical or electrical. Identifying and mitigating these hazards is vital, requiring each task to be performed in sequence and according to prescribed procedures. This ensures not only the job is done correctly, but also safely. Additionally, personal protective equipment (PPE) acts as the last line of defense, protecting workers when unforeseen events occur.
I am immensely proud of our lineworkers and electric workers who come in daily with the right mindset, ready to tackle challenges. They diligently account for risks, mitigate or eliminate them through procedures, and wear the proper PPE, ensuring they can safely return home each night.
While a number of folks are visible during restoration efforts, there are many others working tirelessly behind the scenes covering a variety of roles 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to provide reliable service to over 2.3M customers.
Bill Thompson, senior director of Electric T&D Operations, Southern Division
Question: Why is it important to celebrate the work lineworkers/electric workers do?
Bill Thompson, senior director of Electric T&D Operations, Southern Division: Our lineworkers/electric workers are often seen most when they are in your town restoring power during or immediately following a storm.
While a number of folks are visible during restoration efforts, there are many others working tirelessly behind the scenes covering a variety of roles 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to provide reliable service to over 2.3M customers. A good portion of their time is spent doing what it takes to operate our vast network of transmission and distribution circuits as well as executing system reinforcements and system upgrade projects to modernize the grid.
At times, they work long hours in some very challenging conditions, working safely to quickly restore our customers’ power. They make the work look effortless due to their skills and experience. And while their efforts at times seem routine, they make a number of personal sacrifices to provide amazing service to our customers.
Their hard work and dedication to service our customers is top notch to provide the reliable service they do. We recognize their efforts today and every day and thank them all for the dedicated service they provide.
Lineworkers and electric workers are at the heart of delivering safe and reliable power at PSE&G. Providing this essential service to our customers is both honorable and purposeful work.
Eddie Pereira, senior director of Electric T&D Operations, Metro Division
Question: What do you enjoy most about leading the lineworkers/electric workers at PSE&G?
Eddie Pereira, senior director of Electric T&D Operations, Metro Division: Lineworkers and electric workers are at the heart of delivering safe and reliable power at PSE&G. Providing this essential service to our customers is both honorable and purposeful work.
Their efforts are deeply intertwined with the functioning of our society, as their daily tasks impact everyone living and working in our service area, including their own family and friends. Our teams work around the clock on weekends and holidays, in all weather extremes to ensure not only the reliability of service but also the safety of the public. It is for these reasons that they often associate themselves with first responders.
Having the opportunity to lead a team in this endeavor is very rewarding. Seeing new employees develop from being apprentices, to qualified line personnel, to masters of their craft, gives me confidence that we can continue our mission indefinitely. I appreciate the commitment that line workers make to safety, to their craft, to our customers and to each other. As we celebrate National Lineworker’s Appreciation Day, let’s honor them for their commitment, professionalism and the hard work they do to power our lives.
Whether in response to motor vehicle accidents damaging poles or wires torn down by trees during storms, our first priority is always the safety of our workers and the public.
Reggie Jones, senior director of Electric T&D Operations, Central Division
Question: How do lineworkers/electric workers contribute to overall safety of the communities PSE&G serves?
Reggie Jones, senior director of Electric T&D Operations, Central Division: Our lineworkers/electric workers contribute to the safety of the community on blue sky days as well as in stormy conditions. Whether in response to motor vehicle accidents damaging poles or wires torn down by trees during storms, our first priority is always the safety of our workers and the public.
We maintain lines of communication with public safety officials (i.e. police/fire/OEM), as they are often the first to respond and relay critical information to PSE&G so we can expedite routing of resources to respond. At times, PSE&G needs to de-energize power lines to neighborhoods or homes to protect the safety of both workers and the public. Much of our routine work indirectly improves the safety of the community. Our inspection and maintenance programs proactively identify equipment to be replaced. By replacing aged equipment, such as wood poles, this reduces the risk of future failures.
Those of who perform this work should take pride in knowing that thanks to their efforts, our electric customers know they can count on PSE&G for safe, reliable electric service today while also ensuring we meet our customers’ evolving energy needs.
Ron Shute, senior director, Construction & Maintenance, P&C
Question: How do lineworkers/electrical workers contribute to upgrading our electric infrastructure?
Ron Shute, senior director, Construction & Maintenance, P&C: Our Projects & Construction (P&C) team plays a critical role in the work we do to expand and modernize our electric transmission and distribution system. And when serious customer-affecting weather events hit us, they are there to answer the call by supporting our Electric Divisions in their restoration efforts. Those of who perform this work should take pride in knowing that thanks to their efforts, our electric customers know they can count on PSE&G for safe, reliable electric service today while also ensuring we meet our customers’ evolving energy needs.
For more information on what it means to be a lineworker/electric worker, be sure to check out our “Day in the Life” video with Andrew Jones, overhead chief lineman at PSE&G for an in-depth look at the work our lineworkers do:
Take time today to thank a PSE&G lineworker/electric worker for helping deliver safe, reliable electricity. Give your #PSEGProud thanks in the comments below, in person or via social channels – @PSEG on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn or @PSEGdelivers on Twitter.
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