Linemen have very dangerous jobs that require them to be well-trained and skilled at their craft. To ensure safety for themselves and others, linemen must adhere to strict safety standards. As expert as they may be, linemen are at risk of being involved in serious accidents. When safety protocols fail or weather conditions increase risks, having the right utility line clearance insurance is paramount.
Insurance brokers and agents can be instrumental in helping keep the utility line clearance industry safe by offering specialized insurance products.
The Job of a Utility Line Clearance Worker
No one thinks much about electricity until they have to live without it for some time. When the power goes out, it can be difficult to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When the lights go out, phones cannot be charged, food spoils, and some people have to go without water.
Linemen install and maintain power lines between poles, buildings, and towers. As part of their jobs, linemen clearance specialists inspect poles and lines for encroachment by trees. Where limbs, trees, and shrubbery infringe on power lines, utility line clearance companies call out teams to trim the limbs and branches.
It is common for linemen to work at high elevations as they climb telephone poles or towers, or use bucket trucks to get to faulty electrical equipment. The work is inherently risky. Linemen also face risks in operating power equipment and driving work vehicles to job sites.
During an emergency, utility line companies send out their best and most experienced workers to remove fallen trees and branches from power lines so teams who are working to restore power can safely access the equipment. Linemen may have to work in all types of challenging weather conditions such as snow, rain, hail, wind, or extreme heat, making their jobs even more treacherous.
The Dangers of Utility Line Clearance Work
Power lines are designed to withstand normal weather conditions. Strong winds, the weight of ice or snow, fire, and fallen trees exert more pressure on power lines than they can hold.
What kinds of things can happen? Power poles and cross arms may get damaged or collapse due to strong winds. Excessive winds may cause wires to touch and spark. Snowy or wet trees conduct electricity. When they fall on live wires, a homeowner could be electrocuted when trying to remove them. The leading cause of power failures is trees that make contact with transmission wires. Clearance line workers are also subject to exhaustion from excessive work hours during emergencies, exposure to toxic substances such as asbestos, and vehicle accidents while traveling to and from sites.
Trees and branches that fall on utility lines can cause sparks that erupt into fire. In areas that are prone to fires, utility line clearing is a vital task for fire prevention. Federal laws require trees to be trimmed in right-of-way areas and areas adjacent to utility lines for safety reasons. State and federal guidelines across the nation outline the parameters for clearing vegetation.
Tree service professionals typically try to go beyond the required clearance minimums, as trees and other vegetation continue growing. This helps workers keep the wires safe in between pruning cycles.
In California, PG&E, one of the main power companies in the state, was found to be responsible for no less than 1500 fires dating back to 2014. The liability forced the utility company into bankruptcy. This is an enlightening fact for brokers and agents to share with potential clients.
The main hazard of power lines is arcing either between power lines and grounded objects, or between live wires. This typically happens in the following three ways:
- The support system for the wires collapse or get damaged
- External forces cause wires to touch each other (for example, strong winds)
- A conductive foreign object ends up resting across two wires (such as an animal or wet branch)
Utility line clearance workers are experts who make the job of clearing tree branches and other obstacles encroaching power lines look easy. They cut away fallen trees and broken branches tangled up in live power wires. Utility line clearance workers are often called in after major storms. Yet, the work is not easy or safe at all.
Falls and electrocutions are some of the greatest and most serious risks. Line clearance specialists regularly work around equipment that is downed or damaged. The National Institute of Safety and Health reports how line clearance workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. IBEW agrees with their statement and reiterates how line clearance crews have one of the most dangerous jobs in the union. Utility line clearance insurance is therefore the best bet against hazards in the industry.
Specialized Insurance to Protect Linemen: Tree Pro
Utility line clearance companies need specialized tree service insurance because of the inherent risks of trimming trees around power lines. The right tree service insurance policy helps companies manage financial and legal matters if a dangerous accident occurs.
Because of the serious nature of risks associated with the utility line clearance industry, potential clients want more from their insurance brokers and agents than quoting policies, reducing premiums, and providing customer service. Companies are looking for risk management and safety advice from insurance professionals. Owners are happy to accept any information that helps them mitigate exposures.
Are you looking to differentiate your agency from the competition? By working with a knowledgeable MGA, brokers and agents can provide added value after the sale by offering services such as risk consulting, loss mitigation, and recovery assistance. These types of services are very effective strategies for selling specialty tree service insurance. Landscaping and tree care clients who have exposure to wildfires especially need deep expertise in specialty insurance products that are only offered by an MGA.
What your tree care, arborist, and utility line clearance need is a TreePro® insurance policy. This is specialized coverage designed with the tree care industry in mind. The policy includes valuable services such as risk control, claims management, compliance resources, and safety resources. TreePro® covers crane and boom exposures, as well as snow and ice removal, which are coverages that are hard to find elsewhere.
Accidents, injuries, and property damage can put a company out of business overnight. With TreePro®, your clients will not lie awake at night worrying about large risks and vast liability concerns. Utility line clearance companies can get all the commercial insurance coverages they need, including:
- General liability
- Automobile liability
- Property insurance
- Inland marine insurance
- Umbrella liability
- Crime insurance
- Contractors pollution liability
- Employment practices liability
- Cyber liability
- Workers compensation
Utility line clearance companies should always carry proper insurance to protect their businesses and the people who work for them. By offering quality commercial insurance products, brokers and agents are protecting utility line clearance workers, the companies they work for, and society as a whole.
Final Thoughts
Utility line clearance professionals are talented and dedicated individuals who risk their lives every day.
With the risks of climate change and continuing droughts and wildfires throughout the country, the need for insurance for the tree service market will continue to increase. Selling utility line clearance insurance in the tree services industry is a lucrative market, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. The experts at NIP Group can help you serve this critical industry and offer the coverage utility line clearance companies need and deserve. Call us today at 866-653-6945 to ask how we can help!