With the primary election approaching and campaigns in full swing, PP&L, Inc. reminds candidates and their supporters that posting campaign signs on utility poles is both unsafe and illegal.

It's unsafe because PP&L, Inc. workers may have to climb poles to repair power lines and electrical equipment. Nails, tacks or staples driven into a pole can injure a climber or tear the insulated equipment used for protection from electric shock.

In addition, signs may cover reference markings used by PP&L, Inc. to locate the source of trouble in the event of a power outage.

Pennsylvania law prohibits the use of nails, tacks or any metal or hard substance on utility poles. Some municipalities have ordinances that prohibit the fastening of signs to utility poles in any fashion.

PP&L, Inc.'s policy applies not only to campaign signs, but to all types of signs and advertisements.