Demonstration underscores safety measures
Southern Pine Electric officials and MCC Lineman Program students gather after safety
talk.
When Southern Pine Electric personnel came to Meridian Community College’s Lineman Program, they brought a classroom on wheels to the students.
A specially created utility trailer, complete with transformer, electrical lines, light pole, home meters, antennas, and more, served as a teaching tool to remind students of the importance of safety and understand the hazards of electricity.
“I’ve tailored the demonstration to these guys because they have been taught more about electricity. I want them to see the hazards,” said Jamie Arender, safety coordinator with Southern Pine Electric, who spoke to the lineman students. At the same time, Southern Pine Electric colleagues showed various scenarios, including electrical arcing.
Urging his listeners to respect electricity, Arender stressed to the students not to take shortcuts. “As long as electricity is contained, you don’t know it’s there. When something happens, you realize how dangerous electricity can be,” he added.
This year Arender noted he’s already performed 40 demonstrations, such as the one given to the MCC lineman students. The utility company comes to the College once a semester.
Lineman student Corey Miller, 30, of Toomsuba, said of the session, “It was very informative … the demonstration stood out.”
Arender added, “training will continue for the students’ whole career because so much new information is being introduced daily.”