Media Utility Safety Guidelines
For our media partners, our customers, and our crews, it is important to follow safety guidelines in and around utility work zones.
Media Guidelines:
Arranging Interviews and Visits
Contact KUB Media Relations Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., for information, to arrange to shoot footage, or to set up an interview.
This line is answered 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, but please limit calls after regular business hours to emergency information requests only.
Vehicle Parking/Equipment Setup
» Locate all overhead lines, poles, and guy wires before parking and setting up your equipment/antennas.
» Mark off a minimum of 25 feet as a safety zone and provide a visual barrier.
» Ensure all parts of equipment/antennas are outside the 25-foot safety zone. Remember: electricity can arc to nearby equipment/antennas even without contact.
• Place safety cones around vehicles parked near roadways and heavy machinery to increase visibility and provide space.
• Park in a location that does not interfere with or block access to utility or emergency response equipment and vehicles.
• Position your vehicle to face away from the site for a quick evacuation if necessary.
• Do not park in any areas where the smell of natural gas is present.
Accessing the Work Zone
» Do not attempt to enter a utility work zone without a KUB escort. You can endanger crews by distracting them, and they need to know where you are to help ensure your safety.
» Remain at least 25 feet away from utility crews unless otherwise advised by KUB personnel.
• Wait for a KUB media representative to tell you it is safe to use electronic devices (e.g., cameras or cell phones). If there is a potential natural gas leak, electronic devices are potential ignition sources.
» Be aware of potential site hazards such as vehicular traffic, uneven terrain, wet or icy conditions, heavy equipment, sanitary sewer overflow, and excavation.
» Remember: Excavation or water main breaks may cause unstable ground that could be susceptible to a cave-in. Also, if you can’t see the equipment operator, then the operator can’t see you.
Working Safely Around Power Lines
» Always assume lines and equipment are energized—even if they don’t spark or hum. Contact with electric lines may cause serious injury or death.
» If your equipment contacts an electric line:
• Call 911 immediately.
• If you are in a vehicle, stay put until rescue workers say it’s safe.
• If you are outside a vehicle, stand still unless you are in an unsafe
location.
• If you must move, shuffle to keep both feet in full contact with the ground.
• Warn others to stay away.
» If a person contacts an electric line:
• Call 911 immediately.
• Do not touch the person, their tools, or their equipment.
• Stay away and warn others to stay away.
» If you see a downed electric line:
• Stay away and warn others to stay away.
• Call KUB immediately at (865) 524-2911.
If Equipment Contacts a Power Line:
• Call 911 immediately
• Stay put until rescue workers say it’s safe
• Warn others to stay away