A lineworker installs, services, and emergency repairs electrical lines in the case of lightning, wind, ice storm, or ground disruptions.

The occupation had begun in 1844 when the first telegraph wires were strung between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore carrying the famous message of Samuel Morse, "What hath God wrought?

[2] Telegraph lines could be strung on trees, but wooden poles were quickly adopted as the preferred method.

[3] The rural electrification drive during the New Deal led to a wide expansion in the number of jobs in the electric power industry.

A brief drive to electrify some railroads on the East Coast of the US-led to the development of specialization of powerline workers who installed and maintained catenary overhead lines.

This led to an increase in the number of powerline workers needed to maintain power distribution circuits and provide emergency repairs.

[citation needed] Powerline workers work on electrically energized (live) and de-energized (dead) power lines.

Live wire work on high voltage distribution systems within the UK and Australia is carried out by specialist teams.

Apprentice powerline workers are trained in all types of work from operating equipment and climbing to proper techniques and safety standards.

De-energized power lines can be hazardous as they can still be energized from another source such as interconnection or interaction with another circuit even when they appear to be shut off.