Module 4:

Overhead and Underground

Power Lines

Overview of Module 4
Background on power lines
Hazards of overhead and underground
power lines
Injury prevention techniques
Summary

Background
Power lines transmit electricity
Electrical current exposes
workers to serious hazards
Most common hazard is
electrocution
Most workers are unaware of
potential electrical hazards

Power lines and

transmission towers

Power lines can be

Overhead
Underground

Underground Utility Work

Background (cont)
Some activities may cause
interference with power
lines
Overhead power lines
Operation of a crane, forklift,
and other construction
equipment
Changing street lights
Tree trimming

Underground power lines

Excavation

Caution: Look out for

overhead power lines when
operating equipment

Types of Electrical Lines

Electrical Cables
High Voltage, Low Voltage
Supervisory and Signaling Cables
Cathodic protection (cabinets, cables, earthing
conductors, cable shrouds)

Communication Cables

Phone lines
Coaxial cables (e.g. data cables)
Broadband cables
Tram traction cables and trolley wires
Railway supply cables and traction wires

Power Line Hazards

Who is at risk?
Almost everyone working
near power lines
Common hazards:
Electrocution
Injuries are typically fatal

When unloading materials, watch

out for overhead power lines

Electrical shock
Fires
Falls
As a result of contact
with electricity

Fire may be caused after

overhead power lines are hit

Common Misconceptions
Birds land on power
lines, so they must be
safe to touch - NO
Main objective of
electricity is to reach
the ground using the
most direct route
Birds do not get
electrocuted when
they land on wires
because they do not
represent a path to the
ground

The power lines are safe for

perching, but not when struck

Common Misconceptions
Power lines are insulated, so they are safe to touch - NO
They are not always insulated
Insulation deals with placing nonconductive material around the wire
Insulation is a material that offers high electric resistance making it
suitable for covering wires to prevent the possible future contact of
adjacent conductors resulting in a short circuit

Just because a wire is weather protected does not mean that it is

insulated
Weather protection prevents water and snow from reaching the wire (and
insulation, if used)

Common Misconceptions (Cont)

Nonmetallic ladders are safe around power
lines - NO
Wet ladders can be a conducting medium for
electricity

If power lines are not touched, they are

safe - NO
Electricity can jump
Maintain a safe distance from the
Danger Zone
(10 foot radius from the power line)

Hazard Identification
Conduct site investigation to identify
existing conditions of:
Voltages of lines and equipment
Presence of hazardous, induced voltages
Presence and condition of protective
grounds and equipment grounding
conductors
Locations of electrical circuits and
equipment
Maximum switching transient voltages

Dump truck operators should use caution when

unloading materials near overhead power lines

Injury Prevention Techniques

Stay away from power
lines while working
Maintain a safe
distance
OSHAs 10-Foot Circle
of Safety rule
Increase safe distance
near higher voltage
power lines

Maintain a safe distance from the

Danger Zone
(10 foot radius from the power line)

Operation Clearances for Energized Overhead Lines

Nominal Voltage

Minimum Required Distance (Feet)

0 to 50,000

10

Over 50,000

10+0.4 inch for each 1,000 volt

In Transit Clearances for Energized Overhead Lines

Nominal Voltage

Minimum Required Distance (Feet)

0 to 50,000

50,000 to 345,000

10

Over 345,000 to
750,000

16

Source: OSHA

Injury Prevention Techniques

Recognize high voltage
power lines
If unknown, the
appropriate agency
should be contacted

Inform others about

high-voltage power
lines

Be aware of nearby highvoltage power lines

Injury Prevention Techniques

Examine the site
Be mindful of power lines
Search carefully around the site
Look for lines not seen due to
obstructions

Alert others at the pre-job briefing

Assume all lines are energized and
potentially dangerous
Make a safety clearance boundary
Portable safety barriers

HAZARD:
Safe distance
has not been
maintained

Injury Prevention
Use a spotter
Equipment operators have
limited visibility
Get spotters help to stay clear of
overhead power lines
Spotters job should only require
spotting and NOT guiding

Guiders may be at risk of

electrical shock
Especially when using a tag line

A spotter guiding heavy

equipment operator

Injury Prevention
When working with tall and
long equipment
Carefully plan and organize work
with heavy equipment
Keep vehicles clear of power
lines
Watch out for long objects
Adjust the position of equipment
to maintain a safe distance from
power lines

Working with tall equipment

Injury Prevention
In cases of fallen
power lines
Stay away
Call for help
Shuffle with your
feet together and on
the ground to
minimize electrical
shock
Encourage others to
do the same

Down power lines are

dangerous

Injury Prevention
Fallen power lines can cause fires

Fire caused by fallen

power line
If a co-worker makes contact with a power line
Stay away
Protect yourself
You could be shocked too if you touch someone who is in contact with
electricity

Injury Prevention
If you hit a power line
In case of no immediate
danger
Move the equipment away
Have someone call 911
Stay on the equipment until
you know it is safe.
Warn others to stay away

If you MUST get off the

equipment, jump clear

Crane hitting a power line

Underground Power Lines

Hitting a buried power, gas or communications
line can cause
Injury
Excessive cost of repair

Plan the work ahead

Call the utility company

With proper planning, these types of mistakes can be avoided

Underground Power Lines

Locate and mark the
perimeter of underground
lines
Exercise caution when
excavating near power lines
Some manual excavation may

be required

Stay away from pad mount

transformers
Green metal box

Underground utility
line that has been hit

Tree Trimming
Trees that grow into power
lines can cause unnecessary
power outages
Trees planted under or near
power lines are potentially
dangerous hazards
Before tree trimming, check for
the power lines
Use proper equipment and
Tree trimming may be dangerous
trained personnel
if power lines are hidden in the
foliage

Applicable Standards
29 CFR 1926, Subpart K Electrical
29 CFR 1926, Subpart N Cranes, Derricks
29 CFR 1926, Subpart O Motor Vehicles, Mechanized
Equipment
29 CFR 1926, Subpart P Excavations
1926.416 Electrical Hazards
1926.955 Overhead Lines
1926.956 Underground Lines

Summary of the Module

Working in proximity of overhead and
underground power lines is hazardous
Most common hazard is electrocution

Workers should be aware of such hazards

Several injury prevention techniques should be
exercised to prevent injuries and fatalities
Need sufficient training to understand the hazards
and practices for injury prevention
One of the best ways of hazard elimination is
maintain a minimum safe distance

Properly locate underground power lines before

starting of work