OVERHEAD POWER LINE HAZARDS Safety issues when working

OVERHEAD POWER LINE HAZARDS Safety issues when working near power lines Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Objective Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Background • Approaching power lines is not only dangerous, it’s against the law. • OSHA regulations: you must have a minimum clear distance of at least 10 feet when working near power lines 50 k. V or less, and more for higher voltages. Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Use extreme caution • Electricity flows through metal, wood and many other materials, including human beings. • Touching a power line (or an object in contact with one) can result in serious injury - even death. • When equipment comes in contact with power lines, their metal parts can become energized and dangerous. Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Procedures before working • Persons responsible for work near overhead power lines should perform a pre-work site assessment to identify equipment to be used and/or work procedures to be performed. Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Pre-work site assessment • Are there overhead power lines on the job site? • If so, will mobile equipment including dump trucks, mobile cranes, bucket trucks, or other boom type trucks be located on the job site? • Will work be performed within 10 feet of the overhead power lines? Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Pre-work site assessment • Is equipment located on the job site that may reach overhead power lines? • Have you identified the electric utility owning the overhead power lines? • Has the electric utility been notified prior to performing work? Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Pre-work site assessment • Are workers trained to recognize hazards, have they been instructed on how to avoid the hazards? • Are there electrical safety regulations that cover the work to be performed? • Do all supervisors know the clearance and other requirements? Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Safety precautions • Keep a safe distance between yourself and power lines. • OSHA requires a minimum of ten feet. • Before working, check carefully for overhead power lines in the area. • Don't assume that wires are telephone or cable lines! Check with your electric utility. Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Safety precautions • If you need to cut a tree branch, be sure that it won't fall into power lines. • Even if a power line appears to be broken or grounded, keep your distance. • The line could still be energized and contact can injure or kill. Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Safety precautions • When working with ladders, make sure they can't come into contact with power lines if they fall. • Weather can be a factor. • Thunderstorms, rain, winds and damp or icy ground can cause you to lose control and come into contact with power lines. Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Safety precautions • Although power lines may appear to be insulated, often these coverings only protect metal wires from weather conditions and may not protect you from electric shock. • Even nonmetallic materials can be conductive, including limbs and ropes. • Always look up prior to working. Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Safety precautions • Use "spotters" to alert proximity of power lines to equipment. • Have the electric company install insulating barriers or sleeve conductors where equipment must operate. • If necessary, have the electric company temporarily de-energize the power lines. Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

When contact is made • If a piece of equipment contacts a power line and becomes energized, follow these procedures : • Do not get off the equipment or ladder until, if possible, the contact between the equipment and electric wires is broken. Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

When contact is made • If necessary to get off equipment, jump free so no body parts are in contact with the equipment and the ground at the same time. • Shuffle or hop away, keeping feet together. • Never touch the ground and energized equipment at the same time. • Electric current will flow through the body to the ground. Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

When contact is made • Never touch anyone in contact with overhead lines or energized equipment. • Use something with a fiberglass handle or other non-conductive material to remove someone from the energized equipment. • Follow first aid/CPR procedures as needed once the scene becomes safe. Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Review • Maintain a minimum clearance of 10 feet when working near overhead power lines. • Always look up before working. • Non-metallic materials (climbing ropes, limbs, or wooden handles) can conduct electricity. Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

Review • Never touch a downed power line even if you think it is not energized. • Take caution when using ladders, pole shears, pole pruners or other equipment near power lines. Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency