Substation Safety

Why Do Substations Have Fences?

Substations are places where electricity is stepped down from the high voltages used to move it over long distances to the lower voltages used inside the home. They are both critical parts of your electric cooperative system and dangerous places to be.

Every White River Valley Electric Cooperative substations has a tall fences around the station perimeter. The fences are designed to keep you out — and safe. Signs on the fences warn people to stay out and to stay clear of these areas.

But do your children know they should stay clear of substations? White River  Electric Cooperative is asking all parents to speak to their children about substation safety.

Should a child lose a baseball, kite or model airplane inside a substation, the child may be tempted to go get it themselves. Please warn your children never to go inside a substation. Encourage them to play far away from these structures.

There are many parts of a substation that can cause serious injury. Rural electric linemen are trained to work inside substations. Even so, they still must take careful precautions before even entering this restricted area. They always wear hardhats inside the substation. And they never enter alone.

White River Valley Electric Cooperative's highly skilled and trained employees are the only people authorized to enter one of our substations. Give us a call at 1-800-879-4056.