Electricity Today T&D Magazine

Many occupations pose risks to workers, but few match the dangers that linemen face daily. Linemen play a critical role in maintaining and restoring the power grid, often working in extreme weather conditions, at significant heights, and around high-voltage electrical systems. Their work is essential to modern life, yet it comes with life-threatening hazards.

Statistics highlight the dangers of lineman work. The fatality rate for lineworkers is nearly four times higher than the national average for all occupations. Each year, an average of 26 linemen lose their lives due to work-related injuries. Additionally, linemen experience a non-fatal injury rate of 104.6 per 10,000 full-time workers. For every fatality, there are roughly 20 non-fatal injuries. Most of these incidents are linked to transportation-related accidents, falls, and electrical hazards.

The risks associated with the job have contributed to high turnover rates in the utility industry. Many experienced utility workers are retiring, and...