NEWS RELEASE
Date June 4, 2018
For Release Upon Receipt
Contacts Ashlee Yingling
ayingling@duqlight.com
412.430.3404
Duquesne Light Company Raises Awareness of Electrical Hazards During National Safety Month
Company Earns Two Statewide Awards for Continued Commitment to Safety
PITTSBURGH – At Duquesne Light Company (DLC), safety is not only a top priority, but part of its core values. As summer begins, many will be using electrical equipment for home repairs, outdoor projects and indoor renovations. To keep safety top-of-mind throughout National Safety Month, DLC is offering helpful tips and resources to customers, contractors and families.
“Working in this field requires a high level of precaution and safety training,” said Dan Wesolowski, Senior Manager of Safety, Health, and Environmental at Duquesne Light Company. “The same level of precaution should be practiced by anyone who is working around electricity or with electrical equipment, whether you are at home or on the job.”
DLC’s dedication to keeping its customers and employees safe recently was recognized by the Energy Association of Pennsylvania (EAP), where the Company earned the EAP’s Safety Sustainability Award for reporting an exceptionally low incidence rate from 2015 – 2017, ranking first in the category out of 10 utilities. The Company also was awarded the EAP’s Safety Achievement Award for reporting an exceptionally low incidence rate in 2017, ranking second out of 10.
While DLC continues working hard to keep its customers and employees safe, here are some helpful reminders for contractors, families and all customers who may come in contact with electricity indoors or outdoors this summer.
Contractor Safety:
- Before you do any digging or excavating, remember to place a call at least three working days in advance to Pennsylvania One Call at 8-1-1 to have underground utilities properly identified and marked.
- Consider all power lines energized and dangerous. Keep yourself and all ladders, tools, equipment, and materials at least 10 feet away from all power lines.
Kid Safety:
- Warmer weather means a lot of activities for kids involving water. Make sure they take extreme care when using electrical appliances or equipment near a swimming pool, pond or water feature.
- Outdoor activities are fun, but kids should be reminded to never climb a tree near a power line and never touch a power line.
Indoor Safety:
- Keep all appliances away from any contact with water. If a plugged-in appliance falls into water, never reach in to pull it out – even if it's turned off.
- Be careful not to overload power strips, extension cords or outlets. Make sure cords are not placed across areas where people walk. Cords should never be nailed or stapled to the wall, baseboard or to another object. Do not place cords under carpets, rugs or place any furniture on top of them.
Outdoor Safety:
- Use caution when pruning trees with long-handled pruning equipment, especially if it is made of metal. Tree limbs that grow into power lines may be carrying an electrical current.
- When planting near a ground-mounted transformer, be sure to keep a distance of 10 feet from any side with an opening and 3 feet from other sides. Electrical workers need space to safely open the transformer when working on underground power lines.
Work Zone Safety:
- The summer months mean crews will be outside doing work across Pittsburgh to ensure that the lights in your home and business stay on. Always be cautious and aware of DLC work zones and be sure to slow down when you see orange cones, DLC bucket trucks or any type of work zone to prevent an accident from occurring.
In case of emergency, always dial 9-1-1 and then call Duquesne Light at 1-888-393-7000. Never touch any person, vehicle, or equipment that is in contact with electrified wires. For more electrical safety tips, keep up with DLC on Facebook and Twitter throughout the month or visit us online at duquesnelight.com/safety.
About Duquesne Light Company
Duquesne Light Company is committed to more than keeping the lights on; it powers the moments in its customers’ lives. As a next generation energy company, Duquesne Light Company’s nearly 1,500 employees are dedicated to delivering reliable and safe energy to more than a half a million customers in southwestern Pennsylvania.
###