Students at Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School gathered outdoors to celebrate and thank the lineworkers of PSEG Long Island ahead of National Lineworker Appreciation Day, turning a sunny spring afternoon into a lesson in gratitude and safety.
More than 600 students in grades three through five participated in the event, which highlighted the critical — and often dangerous — work performed by utility crews. In the weeks leading up to the celebration, students created colorful posters in art class, expressing appreciation for the workers who maintain and restore power, especially during severe weather.
The celebration featured three large utility trucks and PSEG Long Island’s Mobile Electric Safety Unit, a 40-foot interactive model of the electric distribution system. Students rotated through hands-on learning stations, where they explored equipment, presented their artwork, and took part in live demonstrations about electrical safety.
The demonstrations emphasized the real risks lineworkers face on the job. According to federal labor data, electrical power-line installers and repairers experience fatality rates far higher than the national average, with roughly 20 to 25 deaths per 100,000 workers annually. Over the past decade, an average of about two dozen lineworkers have died each year due to job-related incidents, with electrocution and falls among the leading causes.
In addition to fatalities, thousands of nonfatal injuries occur each year, underscoring the physically demanding and hazardous nature of the profession. Despite these risks, lineworkers remain essential to maintaining the electrical infrastructure that powers homes, schools and businesses.
The event blended education with celebration, giving students a deeper understanding of both safety and service. By meeting lineworkers face-to-face, students were able to connect classroom lessons to real-world careers and recognize the dedication required in the field.
With cheers, posters and personal thank-you messages, students made their appreciation clear, honoring the workers who keep the lights on and communities running every day.