Quick Start Guide Electric Utilities

SECTION 02 : BUILDING YOUR PROGRAM

The number and type of audiences will depend on the specifics of your utility, program goals, regulatory requirements, legal/risk management practices, and a variety of other factors. Some regulations specify certain audiences must be targeted. Safe working practices, such as those defined by OSHA, may also influence audience and message. While the following is not intended to be a comprehensive list, your plan should consider the following audience types: • Customers (with new customers as a specific subset) and other electricity users/consumers (such as tenants) • Construction companies, crane/aerial-lift/scaffolding/ derrick equipment operators, excavators, and other heavy equipment operators • Painters, roofers, and other trades/skilled workers • Emergency responders • Agriculture workers and transportation companies • Landscapers and tree trimmers • Marinas and boaters • Municipalities and public works departments • Pilots and operators of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) • Students and teachers • Utility personnel and workers at other types of utilities (e.g., water) Multilingual Considerations To be most effective, language must be taken into consideration when planning safety communications. Despite the tremendous multicultural composition of the United States, there are no firm guidelines regarding multilingual public safety communications. Each utility must develop its own standards based on the unique characteristics of its service territory, local census data, and industry best practices.

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Developing a Public Safety Communications Program