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

• Duquesne Light Website 
• General Electric Safety Information
• Downed Power Lines Safety
• Electric Safety Above & Underground
• Duquesne Light - Report an Outage Online

FirstEnergy Companies

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

• FirstEnergy Companies Websites
• General Electric Safety Tips
• Preventing Electrical Accidents on the Job
• FirstEnergy - Report an Outage Online

PECO Energy

• PECO Energy Website
• General Electric Safety Tips
• Power Line Safety
• e-Smart Workers/ Electric & Natural Gas Safety
• PECO - Report an Outage Online

PPL Electric

• PPL Electric Website
• General Electric Safety Tips
• e-Smart Workers/ Electric & Natural Gas Safety
• PPL - Report an Outage Online

UGI Electric

• UGI Electric Website
• General Safety Information
• Overhead Power Line Safety & Other Tips
• UGI - Outage Center

Citizens' Electric

• Citizens' Electric Website
• General Safety Information
• Citizens' Electric - Outage Center

Pike County Electric

• Pike County Electric Website
• General Safety Information
• Pike County Electric - Report an Outage Online

Wellsboro Electric Company

• Wellsboro Electric Website
• Wellsboro Electric - Outage Center

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

The NFPA states that "codes and standards are developed by subject matter experts from around the globe and serve as the leading resource on fire, electrical , and life safety guidelines and requirements."

• NFPA 70 - National Electric Code
• NFPA 70E - Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
• NFPA 79 - Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery
• NFPA 70B - Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

OSHA states that its mission is "Setting and enforcing standards; enforcing anti-retaliation provisions of the OSH Act and other federal whistleblower laws; providing and supporting training, outreach, education, and assistance; and working collaboratively with our state OSHA programs as well as ensuring that they are at least as effective as federal OSHA, furthering a national system of worker safety and health protections."

OSHA created information and regulations related to electricity:

• Electrical - Overview
• 1910.269 - Electric power generation, transmission and distribution

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)

PennDOT support and manages the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's transportation network and has regulations for utilities falling under their jurisdiction.

• 67 PA Code Chapter 459 - Occupancy of Highways by Utilities

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.

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.