Editing Lineworker (section)

===United States===
The [[rural electrification]] drive during the [[New Deal]] led to a wide expansion in the number of jobs in the electric power industry. Many powerline workers during that period traveled around the country following jobs as they became available in tower construction, [[electrical substation|substation]] construction, and wire stringing. They often lived in temporary camps set up near the project they were working on, or in boarding houses if the work was in a town or city, and relocating every few weeks or months. The occupation was lucrative at the time,{{citation needed|date=April 2013}} but the hazards and the extensive travel limited its appeal.

A brief drive to electrify some [[railroad]]s on the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]] of the US-led to the development of specialization of powerline workers who installed and maintained [[catenary (railways)|catenary]] [[overhead lines]]. Growth in this branch of linework declined after most railroads favored [[Diesel engine|diesel]] over electric engines for replacement of steam engines.

The occupation evolved during the 1940s and 1950s with the expansion of residential electrification. This led to an increase in the number of powerline workers needed to maintain power distribution circuits and provide emergency repairs. Maintenance powerline workers mostly stayed in one place, although sometimes they were called to travel to assist repairs.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}} During the 1950s, some electric lines began to be installed in tunnels, expanding the scope of the work.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}}