Dominion Virginia Power Urges Caution Near
Neighborhood Electrical Lines
RICHMOND, Va. - Dominion
Virginia Power is embarking on a public awareness campaign focused on electricity
in the neighborhood in recognition of May as National Electrical Safety Month.
"We want to remind everyone -- builders, painters and gutter
repairmen as well as those of us who work around our homes on weekends -- about
the dangers associated with electricity," said Edgar M. Roach Jr., president
and chief executive officer.
To emphasize the critical importance of electrical safety,
Dominion Virginia Power has developed power line safety brochures in English
and Spanish. These brochures have been distributed free of charge to crane and
equipment rental companies in Virginia and North Carolina.
Electricity-related accidents can be prevented with foresight
and common sense.
"We are asking people simply to pay attention. Look
up. If you are carrying equipment such as a ladder or a section of gutter and
it hits an electrical line, you could be fatally injured," Roach said.
Electrical energy carried along neighborhood power lines
is between 13,200 volts to 34,500 volts. The amount of electricity coming from
a typical household electrical outlet is 120 volts, which is sufficient to cause
serious injury or death. Fatal injuries can occur from coming into contact with
as little as 50 volts of electricity.
"No matter what the amount, you can never be too safe
when dealing with electricity," Roach said.
Thus far, in 2002, Dominion Virginia Power has been informed
of 20 instances in its service areas of contractors or homeowners coming into
contact with electrical lines. By comparison, the company reported 32 contacts
in 2001 and 17 contacts in 2000. The most common -- and preventable -- instances
of equipment coming into contact with electrical lines include metal or aluminum
ladders, paint rollers, sections of gutter, antennas and workers digging into
the ground.
The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission reports there
were 550 total accidental electrocutions nationwide in 1998, the latest year
for which statistics are available. Twenty-five of those related to household
wiring and 22 related to antennas and ladders coming into contact with overhead
power lines. More than 10 percent of all accidental residential electrocutions
in 1998 involved antennas or ladders.
Anyone doing work near an overhead distribution line should
follow the 10-foot rule: Always keep ladders and tools at least 10 feet away
from any power line. Greater distances may be required depending on the voltage
of the line.
Workers who anticipate having to work within this danger
zone are required by Virginia law to first notify Dominion Virginia Power at
least 48 hours in advance at 1-888-667-3000. Anyone digging into the ground
must call Miss Utility 48 hours in advance to determine the location of underground
power lines. For work in the counties of Accomack, Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick,
Loudoun, Northampton, Prince William, Stafford, Shenandoah and Warren, call
1-800-257-7777. In all other Virginia counties, call 1-800-552-7001.
Dominion Virginia Power delivers electricity to more
than 2 million customers in Virginia and North Carolina, where it is known as
Dominion North Carolina Power. Dominion Virginia Power is a subsidiary of Dominion
(NYSE: D), one of the nation's largest producers of energy, with a production
capability of more than 3 trillion British thermal unit of energy per day. Dominion
serves nearly 4 million retail natural gas and electric customers in five states.
For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.
