Your Energy Resource Lineman Lessons

That hole in the pole? We're not a fan.

It’sjust a yard sale poster. Nailing it to a Baldwin EMC power pole is harmless, right?

Wrong. Whether it’s a promotional flyer or a sign for a lost pet, the items you attach to our power poles are more harmful than you might realize.

Here’s the reason why. Poles are made out of wood. (That’s the obvious part of this explanation.) Wood can get damaged by nails, tacks, screws, staples or any other fixating device that leaves a hole. That hole compromises the safety and integrity of that pole, which, as you can probably guess, is not a good thing.

Each nail, tack and staple used on a wooden pole makes it vulnerable to water, insects and fungi, all of which can cause decay. And when a major weather event impacts our area, guess which poles tend to come down first?

Additionally, there are times when Baldwin EMC linemen have to physically climb poles to access the equipment at the top, when using a

POLES: THE PILLARS OF OUR POWER

Let's talk about some of the most underappreciated workers in our infrastructure: our utility poles.

11 bucket truck isn't an option. A leftover nail or tack can damage our personal protective equipment, such as our gloves, flame retardant clothing or fall restriction devices. We also rely on small metal spikes attached to pole climbers to support our weight as we climb. If one of our spikes happens to hit an area that's been damaged by a nail or staple, it can stop us from attaching securely, which can lead to a fall. The end result of that is a badly injured lineman, or worse. It's not just nails, staples or tacks that can cause damage to poles. Mowers and trimmers can wreak havoc on the outer shells of wooden poles, causing strength loss.

Now we realize accidents do happen. So if you inadvertently strike a pole with your equipment, please notify Baldwin EMC so we can inspect it for safety and replace it if necessary.

But signs on poles are not accidents. So, for the safety of your pole and your linemen, please find another way to advertise that yard sale.

Let us be your energy information resource. Go to www.baldwinemc.com or follow us on social media for more news you can use.

We want to protect a pole's lifespan

More than 70,000 poles cover Baldwin EMC's service territory. They face the elements - everything from water to wildlife. That's unavoidable. But our pole inspection and protection program can help us get the most out of their expected lifespans.

We maintain a safe rotation schedule

Baldwin EMC uses contractor resources to inspect and, if needed, treat each pole approximately every eight years at a rate of about 10,000 poles each year. This process has a direct impact on safety and reliability, by identifying which poles need to be replaced before they cause an outage.

Inspectors test for safety and strength

Our inspectors will visually assess the pole on your property, checking for issues like damaged or broken crossarms, slack or damaged guy-wires, or other faulty equipment. They will also conduct sound and bore inspections to test for voids or deficiencies. If the pole on your property is due for an inspection, our goal is to conduct the inspection as unobtrusively as possible.

Everyday, millions of Americans are targeted by scammers through phone calls, emails, text messages, online or in person. Scammers’ tactics can change daily, which is why it’s important for consumers to stay on top of the latest scam reports from local and national news outlets, as well as your local utility companies.

Here are a few reminders on how to take control of the situation when you’ve been targeted by a scammer:

• Be suspicious. Scammers typically request immediate payments through prepaid debit cards or third-party apps. Unusual requests like this should raise red flags.

• Take your time. Utility scammers try to create a sense of urgency so that you’ll act fast and hastily. Take a moment to think about the situation before acting.

• Confirm before you act. If you’re contacted by someone claiming to represent Baldwin EMC or another utility but you’re unsure, just hang up the phone and call the co-op directly. You can reach us at (251) 989-6247 to verify the situation.

Our increasingly connected world provides scammers with more opportunities to connect with unsuspecting consumers. Be vigilant, and please report any utility scams to Baldwin EMC so we can let others in our community know.