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5 Interesting Facts About Lineworkers

Electric utilities and unions across the country honor lineworkers this National Lineworker Appreciation Day.
Kevin Copeland
Kevin Copeland
ENERGIZED by Edison Writer
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Whether in extreme heat during the summer months or the pouring winter rain, electrical lineworkers build, maintain and repair the power grid to ensure communities have access to reliable electricity.

Edison Electric Institute, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Utility Workers Union of America have designated July 10 as National Lineworker Appreciation Day to salute the hard work and dedication of those who work on the front lines.

The day honors the life and work of Henry Miller, the first president of IBEW, who was killed on the job 122 years ago.

Want to know more about what lineworkers do? Check out these five facts:

There are 170 million wood poles and 9 million miles of wire in service across the United States.
There are 170 million wood poles and 9 million miles of wire in service across the United States.
There are 115,000 lineworkers in the United States. More than 67,000 responded to Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
There are approximately 115,000 lineworkers in the United States. 
Training to become a journeyman lineman can take more than 7,000 hours.
Training to become a journeyman lineman can take more than 7,000 hours.
Linemen carry up to 40 pounds of gear -- equivalent to a 5-gallon water jug.
Linemen carry up to 40 pounds of gear—equivalent to a 5-gallon water jug.
SCE linemen spend 1.25% of their life in the air every year.
SCE linemen spend 1.25% of their life in the air every year.
Tags: National Lineworker Appreciation Day, linemen career