Power Companies & State Law Discourage Posting Signage On Utility Poles Along Roads

Presented By McDonald’s, I’m Lovin’ It!

It’s high school tournament time, which brings out community spirit and pride and efforts to show their teams that pride. While that is a good thing, the problem comes in when signs and streamers are attached to utility poles and highway signs along roadways, which is against the law.

The same applies to attaching signs for political candidates and events such as yard sales.

The Ohio Revised Code states; “No person shall place within the limits of the right-of-way or affix any sign, poster, or advertisement to any tree or utility pole within the right-of-way of any public highway outside of municipal corporations. No person, organization, corporation, or group shall place within the limits of the right-of-way any object as determined by the department of transportation to obscure sight distance.”

Along with state law, utility companies also discourage this practice for safety reasons. A spokesperson for AEP Ohio said; “Workers need to access poles to ensure the reliability of electric service. Signs that are placed on poles are a hazard for our employees and contractors.”

Objects used to hang signs — such as staples, tacks and nails — can obstruct climbing equipment, causing a worker to slip or fall. They can also tear the protective clothing that protects a worker from electricity. Even the tiniest pinhole in a glove is enough to cause a burn or other injury.