Construction Crews Reminded to 'Stop, Look Up and Look Around' When Near Consumers Energy Electric Lines

Knowing both overhead and underground hazards key to working safely

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Oct 30, 2014, 06:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., Oct. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As Michigan contractors and excavators work to finish projects before the busy construction season ends, Consumers Energy is reminding crews to keep electric safety at the forefront.

Michigan's rebounding economy is creating more construction vehicle traffic across the state, but also increases the risk of large equipment striking overhead electric lines or buried underground utilities. There have been multiple incidents this summer and fall of large excavation, construction and agricultural equipment striking the company's overhead wires. Safety is Consumers Energy's top concern. Contact with electric lines can cause serious injury and often results in power outages, affecting up to thousands of customers for several hours.

"We want everyone to go home safe every day, and this includes construction and agricultural personnel working around our electric lines and natural gas system," said Mary Palkovich, the company's vice president of energy delivery. "Knowing the potential hazards on any job site is critical to completing work safely."

Consumers Energy offers resources to companies for educating their workers on electric hazards or safe digging practices. These free materials can be ordered online at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/worksafe.

The minimum safe distances for working around power lines varies by the amount of electricity each line carries. Contractors can call 811 before beginning work so a safe distance can be determined.

Consumers Energy's public safety team works with police and fire departments, construction associations and community damage prevention groups to promote working safely around the company's electric distribution and natural gas pipeline systems. More information is available at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/safety.

Consumers Energy reminds all workers to keep these safety tips in mind:

Identify the location of all power lines near the job site before beginning work. Assume all overhead wires are energized and dangerous.
To have underground electric and natural gas lines marked, call 811 at least three days prior to digging. This is a free service.
If the work requires large equipment or working overhead, determine the required safe distance by calling 811 to identify the line's voltage and utility owner.
Refer to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (www.Michigan.gov/miosha) for specific guidance by work type and voltage.
Always use a dedicated spotter on the ground to make sure safe distances are maintained.
Review the job site regularly and communicate safety plans with all workers and visitors daily.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.5 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Media toolkit

LEARN MORE: Details about working safely around Consumers Energy's electric and natural gas systems: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/safety

CALL 811: This free program will provide services to mark underground utilities, including natural gas and electric lines. It will also provide information on working near overhead electric wires. Call at least three working days before digging. Visit www.missdig.net.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConsumersEnergyMichigan and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/ConsumersEnergy.

SOURCE Consumers Energy