Unauthorized Pole Attachments
The purpose of the Unauthorized Pole Attachment Policy is to establish requirements for preventing, identifying, documenting and removing unauthorized attachments to Marshall County Rural Electric Member Corporation (MCREMC) owned distribution poles. Unauthorized pole attachments create unnecessary safety hazards for employees, contractors and the public, may interfere with utility operations, and can damage cooperative-owned infrastructure.
The following policy is intended to protect employee safety, maintain the integrity of the electric distribution system, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and utility standards.
All Cooperative poles and property shall be maintained free of markings, signs, banners, or similar items, except those placed by the
Cooperative or the original equipment manufacturer.
This policy applies to:
- All MCREMC-owned distribution poles.
- All employees and contractors performing work on or around MCREMC
- Any individual, organization, business, or governmental entity placing materials or objects on cooperative-owned poles.
No person, organization, business, contractor, governmental agency or other entity shall attach any object, sign, banner, notice, advertisement, marker, equipment or other material to MCREMC-owned utility poles without written authorization from the Cooperative.
Unauthorized attachments are prohibited regardless of the fastening method used, including but not limited to:
- Nails
- Staples
- Screws
- Lag bolts
- Tacks
- Wire
- Cable ties (zip ties)
- Rope
- Chains
- Adhesives
- Straps
- Clamps
- Any other fastening device
MCREMC reserves the right to remove unauthorized attachments at any time without prior notice.
Safety Hazards
Unauthorized attachments present significant hazards including but not limited to:
Employee Safety
Foreign objects attached to utility poles can:
- Puncture rubber gloves, sleeves, climbing gear and other personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Cause cuts, puncture wounds, abrasions, or other harm to MCREMC lineworkers.
- Damage fall protection equipment.
- Create snagging hazards for
lineworkers while climbing utility poles. - Obstruct safe climbing routes.
- Interfere with emergency restoration work.
- Increase the time required to safely perform maintenance or replace poles.
Public Safety
Unauthorized attachments may:
- Become detached during severe weather and cause damage to nearby structures.
- Obstruct visibility for motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians.
- Create distractions along roadways.
- Fall and injure members of the public.
- Become projectiles during storms.
- Interfere with emergency response activities.
System Reliability
Unauthorized attachments may:
- Damage treated MCREMC-owned wood utility poles.
- Accelerate pole deterioration by allowing moisture intrusion through nails, screws or other puncture/penetration methods.
- Interfere with inspections.
- Obstruct identification markings.
- Delay restoration following outages.
- Increase maintenance costs and frequency.
Inspection and Identification
MCREMC employees and contracted workers shall remain alert for unauthorized attachments during:
- Line patrols
- Pole inspections
- Meter work
- Vegetation management
- Pole replacements
- Construction
- Maintenance
- Storm restoration
- Service calls
- Line rebuilds
When unauthorized attachments are identified on cooperative-owned utility poles, MCREMC employees and contracted workers will:
- Document the location.
- Photograph the attachment.
- Notify the appropriate supervisor and/or operations department.
- Record the finding using the Cooperative’s work management or inspection system.
Removal of Unauthorized Attachments
Unless removal would create an unsafe condition, authorized cooperative employees and contractors may remove unauthorized attachments when discovered.
Removal will be completed:
- During scheduled work.
- During pole replacement.
- During maintenance activities. When creating an immediate safety hazard.
- Following storms or emergency events.
Marshall County REMC assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to unauthorized materials removed from its facilities.
Enforcement
Individuals or organizations found installing unauthorized attachments may be:
- Directed to immediately remove the attachment.
- Billed for labor and equipment associated with removal.
- Held responsible for damage to MCREMC-owned utility poles and/or property.
- Subject to denial of future attachment requests.
- Referred for enforcement under applicable state or local laws regarding trespass or damage to utility property.
Repeat violations may result in additional legal action where appropriate.
For more information on Unauthorized Pole Attachments, review
Article I Membership, Section 4, Provision of Cooperative Service (b)
in the Marshall County REMC Bylaws.
