Dominion Virginia Power Urges Caution Near Neighborhood Electrical Lines

May 13, 2002

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.

For more detailed information on electrical safety, visit www.dom.com or www.esfi.org.

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.
 


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