COVID 19 – Utility Employee Safety

UPPER PENINSULA POWER COMPANY ISSUES SAFETY TIPS
FOR KEEPING UTILITY WORKERS SAFE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Marquette – Upper Peninsula Power Company’s (UPPCO) top priority is the health and safety of its customers, employees and the communities we serve. We make every effort to deliver clean, reliable energy to more than 55,000 customers that reside and work in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

COVID-19 presents unprecedented challenges requiring utilities to implement their contingency plans to protect the workers that keep the lights on. “Utility workers are considered essential services and their health is critical to maintaining reliable energy service,” said Brett French, Vice President of Business Development and Communications. “We are continuing to provide critical infrastructure support under Governor Whitmer’s Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order and we’re asking for everyone’s help to ensure our workers remain healthy and fit for duty.”

UPPCO is asking the public to follow certain Safety Tips so that its utility workers can continue to deliver safe, reliable energy to all customers in a safe manner.

• Practice social distancing and DO NOT approach utility workers if you see them outside.
• If a utility worker comes to your home or business on a service call, please maintain a minimum of six (6) feet of distance from them at all times.
• If you experience a power outage or an emergency, like a downed wire, please contact UPPCO at (906) 449-2011 to report the incident.
• New utility service hookups and construction of new service lines may be delayed as work is prioritized to protect employees and the public.

UPPCO is committed to working closely with our partners in government to ensure our customers are safe, warm and have access to the energy they need.