Why are Linemen considered essential workers?

The Importance of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers

While the world is currently fighting a novel coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, essential workers who keep the world’s critical infrastructure operating are needed during many types of emergencies and disasters. Some examples include hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, wildfires, epidemics, hazardous material accidents, structural failures, earthquakes, tsunamis, and landslides just to name a few. Functioning critical infrastructure is imperative during the response to disaster emergencies for both public health and safety as well as community well-being.

Why are Linemen considered essential workers?

Among those services considered essential is electricity. Reliable electricity is one of the most important services because it is often needed so doctors, nurses, firefighters, police officers, emergency medical services, and others – can perform their duties.

Find FR Safety Clothing for the Electric Power Industry here.

What if we didn’t have electricity during an emergency? Thanks in part to electrical linemen, we don’t have to find out except during an occasional power outage. Electrical linemen are the ones who install power lines and restore electricity in the aftermath of storms and maintain those lines to keep them in peak condition in times when there is no emergency. Electrical linemen keep power flowing to homes and businesses across the country.

 

To learn more about critical infrastructure and essential workers read Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce from The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).