Line working is ranked as one of the 10 most dangerous jobs in the country. Clearwater Power’s 20 dedicated lineworkers work every day, rain or shine—often in challenging conditions—to ensure you, our members, have reliable electricity.
We celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 8. The following column was written with input from Matt Moore, a foreman at the cooperative’s Ahsahka warehouse.
Danger
Many people know linework is dangerous because it works near high-voltage electricity. Lineworkers must always be aware of their surroundings and the safety of the person next to them. They work on energized power lines—there’s no margin for error. You can’t tell if lines are energized by just looking at them, Matt says.
Lineworkers often work in challenging environments. More often than not, the weather is worse when you need power the most. Line crews work through thunderstorms, high winds, extreme heat and cold, in the dark or on the side of the road next to traffic.
“It is dangerous, but that’s what we’re trained to do,” Matt says.
Clearwater Power lineworkers train for years before officially receiving the title of lineworker. They typically start as a ground person, helping crews with tools and keeping job sites safe, and then they transition to apprentice status, which typically spans three to four years. After an apprenticeship with 7,000 hours or more of training under their belt, they transition to journeyman lineworker status and are considered officially trained in the field.
“Even after we’re officially linemen, we continuously receive training and stay up-to-date on safety requirements and the latest equipment and procedures,” Matt says.
Physical Demand
The daily expectations of a lineworker are physically demanding, but lineworkers “know what we signed up for,” Matt says.
They load heavy materials, climb poles, and go in and out of buckets. Due to the nature of Clearwater Power’s service territory, lineworkers often trek places trucks can’t, so they might hike through the woods packing equipment.
“Most of us are just glad to be outside,” Matt says.
Sacrifices
Part of being a lineworker includes the sacrifice of a normal work schedule. The crews make sure nothing stands in the way of helping a friend or neighbor get back to daily life with electricity.
Our lineworkers get calls at all hours— including in the middle of the night. They miss planned activities, sporting events, celebrations, and family dinners.
Matt says his family is supportive, but they make sacrifices, too.
“Our spouses hear the phone ring in the middle of the night, too,” he says. “They can’t go back to sleep and worry while we’re away.”
Reward
Clearwater Power and its employees are members of the communities we serve. We live in the same neighborhoods. If your lights are off, there is a good chance our lights are off, too.
Matt says there is satisfaction in providing such a valuable service to friends and neighbors. It’s about keeping everyone beside you safe and the lights on for everybody else, he says.
“No matter how tired we are or how long we’ve been working, that feeling always makes it worth it,” Matt says.
Join Matt Moore at 11:30 a.m. May 4 at the Ahsahka warehouse for a high-voltage safety demonstration and lunch. The event is open to the public.