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SAFETY MANAGEMENTManaging Electrical PowerLine HazardsBy George KennedyMany construction operations require workersto perform their jobs in proximity tooverhead and underground power lines.It is therefore imperative that constructionworkers, equipment operators, truck drivers and othersbe trained to recognize the dangers of letting their bodies,equipment, tools or vehicles make contact with, orcome too close to, power lines.Unfortunately, the reality is that while electrical utilityworkers are routinely trained to recognize and manageelectrical hazards, most construction workers arenot. That lack of knowledge of the potential electricalhazards present in their work environment makes themmore vulnerable to electrocution, electric shock, burnsand falls caused by contact with electrical energy.For example, many construction workers do not knowthat the coating on overhead power lines is only there toprotect the conductor from the weather; it is not electricalinsulation. Nor do they know that most constructionelectrocutions are due to equipment making contact witha power line, which in turn electrocutes workers workingin contact with the equipment or materials being handled.Even a brief contact with low-voltage lines can killa worker or result in serious, disfiguring and/or debilitatinginjuries.The data clearly show that a high number of constructionworkers have been killed or seriously injureddue to contact with power lines. For example, in 2005,the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that 107construction workers were fatally injured by contactwith electricity. Of the 107 workers killed, 49 diedbecause of contact with overhead power lines. An additional627 were seriously injured when they contactedpower lines — 313 through contact with overhead lines,314 with underground lines. According to the NationalInstitute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),electrocutions from contact with overhead power linesresult on average in 128 work-related fatalities per year.Managing the HazardAll power lines present a potential hazard. The firststep in controlling electrical hazards is to assume that allpower lines are energized and avoid making contact —unless the electric utility company has verified that thelines have been de-energized and grounded.Notify the power company before starting the work andgive them an opportunity to reduce the hazards and makethe power line electrically safe. Although it is often difficultand may be impossible for the power company to deenergizethe lines, there are other things it might be ableto do to reduce the exposure, such as place protectivecovers over the lines or temporarily relocate lines.However, employees should be made aware of the factthat insulating sleeves alone might not allow equipmentand workers to work safely close to lines.“While electrical utilityworkers are trained torecognize and manageelectrical hazards, mostconstruction workers arenot. That lack of knowledgemakes them vulnerableto electrocution, electricshock, burns and falls. ”44 Utility Contractor | August 2007
SAFETY MANAGEMENTThis NIOSH photo captures the aftermath of a fatalaccident in which a crane boom made contact withan overhead power line.OSHA currently requires a minimum safe distance of10 ft for voltage up to 50kV and an additional 0.4 in. foreach additional 1kv. Local conditions may requiregreater distances, so it is a good idea to check with thepower company for their recommendations.Additionally, a trained, qualified worker should beassigned to observe the clearance of equipment operatingnear overhead power lines when it is difficult for theoperator to judge and maintain the required distance.Contact the power company for assistance; it mightbe willing to install non-conductive flags or warningtape to assist the operator in judging the distance.Electronic warning devices that can be installed oncranes or other equipment are also available and canbe used to alert the operator if the boom is coming tooclose to an energized line.Before excavating around underground power lines,contact the Dig Safe One-Call System (call 811anywhere in America) at least 48 hours (some stateshave different requirements) before you dig. It willarrange to send out a locator from the power companyto mark the lines.Once the lines have been marked, excavators arerequired to hand dig or vacuum excavate (notpermitted in some states) when working within the tolerancezone established by state laws. Most states requireexcavators to maintain an 18-in. tolerance zone aroundthe line and other states require that a greater distance bemaintained. Check local requirements and make surethat workers know what they are.If Contact Is MadePower line contacts will sometimes cause the lines totemporarily de-energize, but they will also reset automatically,often more than one time. Therefore, ifequipment makes contact with a power line, everyoneshould move away without touching the equipment,attachments or rigging. If a power line is down, everyoneshould be kept away. Only qualified personnel fromthe power company should touch or attempt to move afallen power line. (Note: Damaged underground powerlines present similar electrocution hazards.)The equipment operator should attempt to breakcontact with the power line without breaking the line.If that is not possible, the operator should remain in theequipment until the line is de-energized by the powercompany — unless there is a fire or the equipment is indanger of being struck by the power line. If the operatormust exit the equipment, he/she should jump offthe equipment, landing with both feet together.No part of the individual’s body should touch the rigand the ground at the same time, or the individualcould become a path to ground and be electrocuted.After getting off the equipment, the operator shouldhop or shuffle away from the equipment with feettogether to avoid becoming a conductor between twoareas of energized ground. The operator should notreturn to the equipment until the power company saysit is safe to do so.ConclusionBecause electricity is such a familiar part of our surroundings,it often is not treated with the respect itdeserves. Overhead and buried power lines on the jobsiteare especially hazardous because they carryextremely high voltage.Fatal electrocution is the main risk, but burns andfalls from elevations are also hazards. Using tools andequipment that can contact power lines increases therisk. All this and more must be conveyed to workers,equipment operators, truck drivers and others who performtheir jobs in proximity to underground and overheadpower lines.To assist employers in meeting the requirementsand establishing relevant safety policies and procedures,OSHA offers an online Construction eTool onelectrical safety at www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/mainpage.html,andNIOSH a Safety and Health Topic page atwww.cdc.gov/niosh/injury/traumaelec.html.In addition, a DVD titled “Contractor Safety –Preventing Electrical Injuries” is available through theBurn Foundation (215) 988-9882. NUCA membersmay also access a toolbox talk titled Overhead PowerLines in the members-only section of the NUCA Website at www.nuca.com.George Kennedy is NUCA Vice President of Safety.August 2007 | Utility Contractor 45National Utility Contractors Association
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