A. Scope: Hazard prevention is a key part of each employee's duties around electric power lines. Hazards include possible contact with bare, uninsulated or energized electrical components, and grounding fault. Prejob safety planning is the greatest accident preventative in the work place.
B. Points: Points to remember:
1. Understand the work in progress. Preplan for safety.
2. Do not touch any equipment operating near power lines or exposed to high or low voltage.
3. Use caution when carrying any long pieces of pipe, steel, survey equipment or wood in the vicinity of overhead or energized lines.
4. Maintain a ten foot (10') distance from lines.
5. Consider requesting that lines be de-energized.
6. "Faulted circuits" may automatically be re-energized several seconds later. Victims may be reshocked and rescuers endangered.
7. Understand what lockout/tagout includes when it applies to your work.
8. Power line contact kills or seriously injures hundreds of construction equipment operating personnel each year. Many of these victims were aiding the operation at the time of contact.
9. Look for applications and use the "danger zone" (marker tape, fences and barriers) concept.
10. If a vehicle or piece of equipment you operate does make contact with an energized electrical line or component, your safest course of action will usually be to remain on the equipment until it is de-energized. If you must dismount, it is critical that you not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time.
11. An equipment grounding program designed to regularly check for grounding faults and equipment damage is important and should be utilized for all electrical extensions and equipment. (2019 Compilation)