Most motorists know to move over a lane or slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit if a law enforcement vehicle has stopped another motorist on the side of a road or highway. But did you know that Texas lawmakers passed a bill in 2019 requiring the same protection for utility workers?

The state's Move Over/Slow Down law was expanded from police, fire, medical emergency, Texas Department of Transportation vehicles and tow trucks to include utility vehicles that are stationary with flashing amber or blue lights.

"Our crews in the field really appreciate members and other drivers abiding by this important law that helps keep lineworkers safe and able to focus on restoring power as quickly and safely as possible," said Heath Siegmund, Bluebonnet's manager of safety. "We still see motorists failing to move over or slow down, so we want to make sure they are aware of this law and why it's in place."

Download this story as it appeared in the Texas Co-op Power magazine »

By Alyssa Dussetschleger
 

We’re celebrating a new milestone! Earlier this year, Bluebonnet’s 100th line worker apprentice, John Horton, graduated. Apprentices go through approximately four years of coursework and on-the-job learning to earn the designation of U.S. Department of Labor-certified journeyman linemen. 

Bluebonnet began offering an apprentice program in 2004. We currently have 27 apprentices and 79 journeyman linemen on staff. 

Bluebonnet’s apprentice program requires 672 hours of technical instruction and 8,000 hours of on-the-job learning. The program generally takes four years, though previous experience and education can speed things along. Some apprentices start right out of high school, while others have had years of experience in utility line work or other fields.

On-the-job training focuses primarily on building overhead power lines, though apprentices also learn about underground lines and transmission of power at substations. One of the most technical tasks an apprentice must learn in the field is the proper way to connect meters, including large commercial meters.  

The final step in becoming a Bluebonnet journeyman lineman is demonstrating the capability of troubleshooting an outage and making the needed repairs.

Check Bluebonnet’s Facebook and Twitter pages on April 12, Lineman Appreciation Day, for a tribute to Bluebonnet’s line workers. Feel free to thank them there.

WANT TO BECOME A LINE WORKER?

Find applications and other career opportunities here.