Electric Safety

The PUC formed its Electric Safety Division (ESD) in 2014, and is currently a part of the Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement. The ESD conducts observations, inspections, audits and investigations concerning regulated Electric Distribution Companies (EDCs) contained within the Commonwealth. The ESD has jurisdiction over the activities and equipment that are utilized for each EDC’s distribution facilities (meters, poles, wires, transformers, substations, etc.) Conversely the ESD does not have purview over customer owned equipment or facilities.

The Electric Safety Division currently has two field inspectors and one supervisor. The Electric Safety Division has regulatory oversight on the following Pennsylvania Electric Distribution Companies:

• Citizens Electric
• Duquesne Light
• Met-Ed
• PECO Energy
• Penelec
• Penn Power
• Pike County
• PPL Electric
• UGI Electric
• Wellsboro Electric
• West Penn Power

Homeowner and Contractor Safety Information

Overhead Electric Hazards, Make It Safe!

Over the last 17 years Pennsylvania has averaged 24 serious electric contacts and six electric fatalities per year. The vast majority of the contacts and fatalities involved contractors and construction workers. It is vital that individuals working around live electric facilities are educated of the hazards and exercise extreme caution. The PUC Electric Safety Division highly encourages these individuals contact their respective EDC for education and to make the work zone safe. Each electric company offers help to make work zones near electric hazards safe.  Electric Companies may offer rubberized barriers to prevent accidental contact, stingers to aid crane/boom and lift operators, or to de-energize facilities around the work zone. The links below will direct you to your respective EDC website so you can request help to Make It Safe.

Duquesne Light

• General Electric Safety Information
• Downed Power Lines Safety
• Electric Safety Above & Underground

FirstEnergy Companies

Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power & West Penn Power

• General Electric Safety Tips
• Preventing Electrical Acidents on the Job
• FirstEnergy Contact Centers 

PECO Energy

• General Electric Safety Tips
• Power Line Safety
• e-Smart Workers/ Electric & Natural Gas Safety

PPL Electric

• General Electric Safety Tips
• e-Smart Workers/ Electric & Natural Gas Safety

UGI Electric

• General Safety Information
• Overhead Power Line Safety & Other Tips

Pennsylvania One Call 811: The Keystone of Damage Prevention

There have been a total of 3,013 underground line hits reported to PA One Call over the last five years, that's an average of over eight line hits every day. Call Before You Dig!

All excavators must contact PA One Call at least 3 business days prior to excavation, as required by law.

Pennsylvania One Call System is a non-profit Pennsylvania corporation created to protect the underground facilities before anyone begins to disturb the earth. PA One Call receives requests from excavators, contractors, plumbers, builders, designers, and the general public to find out where underground lines are located. Pennsylvania One Call notifies member underground facility owners of the intent to excavate. The member underground facility owner then marks where their lines are located.

2021 Safety Conference

This year in response to COVID-19, the Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement will once again hold their annual Pipeline Safety Conference virtually this year. The two-day event will take place on Wednesday, September 8 for Electric Safety and Thursday, September 9 for Pipeline Safety.  The agenda will be available in July, along with registration information. Professional Development hours will be available as will a Virtual Vendor Room.

Agenda

Agenda - The Agenda for the 2021 Electric Safety Conference, held on September 8.

Professional Development Hours

Professional Development Hours - Form to fill out to receive credit for Professional Development Hours. Presentation Objectives

Virtual Vendor Room

Visit the Virtual Vendor Room to meet the vendors of the Pipeline and Electric Safety Conferences.

2021 Presentations

Pole Joint Use Attachments - Jim Campbell, PA PUC

Electric Safety Field Activities and Overhead Facilities NESC Violations - Kristofer Knittle, PA PU

Act 50 - What is an AVR and How Can It Benefit Me? - Sara Locke, PA PUC

One Call and the Damage Prevention Committee - Where We Are Headed - Terri Cooper-Smith, PA PUC 

Electrical Safety Foundation International

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is the premier non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety at home and in the workplace.  May is Electrical Safety Month and to find out more information, visit the ESFI website.