Central Maine Power Co., a subsidiary of Iberdrola USA, reminds the public that posting signs, flags, brackets, or anything on utility poles can endanger utility workers and the public and can lead to fines under Maine law.
“Come summer, yard-sale organizers, entrepreneurs, house painters and other folks are looking for places to post signs,” said CMP spokesperson Gail Rice. ”We wish them all well, but for the safety of our employees we ask that they not use utility poles as bulletin boards.”
Rice said utility workers typically use bucket trucks to work on poles, but some jobs or some terrain may require that workers climb or otherwise come into contact with the pole. Nails, tacks, screws and staples left in a pole from attaching signs or other objects can cause life-threatening holes or rips in insulating gloves, tear clothing, cut workers or lead to other accidents that could hurt people and interrupt service.
Rice said that under Maine law attaching anything to a utility pole without permission of the owner is a civil offense that can draw a fine of up to $100.
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