Employees of the City of Covington undergoing safety training today were reminded with split-second eruptions of the dangers of coming into contact with a 7,200-volt power line.

 

And, as Duke Energy instructors showed, the danger can be created by commonplace tools and materials encountered on the job - a firehose or rope that happens to be wet, a rain-dampened tree branch, copper pipe, and even a Mylar balloon.

 

The Duke supervisors showed many examples of materials that would complete an electrical circuit and conduct electricity, and they used a hot dog to simulate the effect on human flesh.

 

It wasn’t a pretty sight.

 

The demonstrations - part of the “Working Around High-Voltage Electricity” safety training class - was attended by a group of Covington’s First Responders, Public Works employees and Code Enforcement inspectors at Fire Station No. 1.

 

Other employees in those departments will attend the same class over the next two days.

 

It all revolves around keeping employees safe on the job, said Trisha Block, the City’s Risk Manager.

 

As part of the training, the Duke officials also discussed safety and protective measures, including the use of proper equipment and flame-retardant clothing.

Even a wet branch can complete a circuit.