FRANKFORT, KY -- As elections approach, Kentucky Power reminds Eastern Kentucky residents and political campaigners that posters mounted on utility poles are dangerous for electric company employees. The nails, staples and tacks that are used to hold posters and signs to utility poles can interfere with the work of line mechanics.
 
"Our line mechanics often use boot attachments called ‘climbers’ to ascend poles," said Kentucky Power’s Everett Phillips, director of distribution operations. "A climber has a sharp steel gaff, or point, about an inch and a half long at the bottom. With a climber strapped to each leg, the line mechanic actually drives the gaff deep into the wood with each step he or she takes up the pole.
 
"To safely support a worker´s entire weight, the gaff must bury itself deeply into the pole. But, when it encounters a hard obstruction, such as a staple, nail or tack, even the most skilled and experienced worker is in danger of falling," Phillips said.
 
Line work is especially hazardous at night when it is difficult to see pole obstructions. Line mechanics sometimes need to climb poles in the dark to restore power after a service interruption.
 
Also, the fasteners used for signs and posters have sharp edges that can tear holes in the protective rubber gloves and sleeve covers that line workers wear to protect themselves from electric shock hazards. Even a tiny hole can expose an employee to grave danger.
 
"We urge campaigners not to post signs on utility poles. Whatever the message, it´s not worth endangering the safety of a utility worker," Phillips said.
 
Kentucky Power is an operating unit of American Electric Power and provides electricity to approximately 175,000 customers in all or part of 20 Eastern Kentucky counties.
 
American Electric Power is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP is the nation’s largest generator of electricity, owning more than 36,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP’s utility units operate as AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2006.