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820 Cranes and Derricks Safety I
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820 Cranes and Derricks Safety I

Working Around Power Lines

ALWAYS NEVER
  • ALWAYS keep a safe distance of at least 10 feet between you and your equipment from the power lines.
  • ALWAYS survey the site for overhead power lines. LOOK UP!
  • ALWAYS, when using crane and/or equipment near energized power lines of 50,000 volts (50 kV) or more, make sure the minimum distance between the lines and any part of the crane is 10 feet plus 4 inches for each 10 kV more than 50 kV.
  • ALWAYS request an observer to assist you where it is difficult to maintain the desired clearance by visible means.
  • ALWAYS require that the only job of the observer is to help the operator maintain the safe clearance.
  • ALWAYS treat overhead power lines as if they were energized.
  • ALWAYS, when in doubt, call the electric company to find out what voltage is on the lines.
  • ALWAYS ask the electric company to either de-energize and ground the lines or install insulation while you are working near them.
  • ALWAYS make sure ladders and tools are non-conductive.
  • NEVER get closer than 10 feet to an overhead power line!
  • NEVER work at a site without checking for power lines. LOOK UP!
  • NEVER, when using cranes and/or equipment near energized power lines of 50,000 volts (50 kV) or more, get closer than 10 feet plus 4 inches for each 1 kV over 500 kV.
  • NEVER use cranes alone where it is difficult by visible means to maintain the desirable clearance.
  • NEVER forget that overhead power lines could be energized.
  • NEVER allow the observer to perform another job while helping the operator to maintain a safe clearance.
  • NEVER take a chance without consulting first with the electric company to find out what voltage the lines carry.
  • NEVER work near power lines until you are certain they have been de-energized and grounded or insulated by the electric company.
  • NEVER work with ladders and tools if they have not been rated nonconductive.

If there is any indication the procedures being followed are inadequate to protect workers, you must safely stop operations and either develop new, more protective procedures or have the utility owner/operator de-energize and visibly ground or relocate the power line before resuming work.

Real-World Example

Two employees were attaching a crane lifting beam to the inside of a 10-foot-diameter precast concrete drywell section located at the front end of a flat-bed trailer. This trailer was parked under a 7600-volt overhead power line which was about 27 feet above the ground. The truck crane, a 30-year-old unit with a 35-foot boom, was located over 10 feet away from the power line. The crane's holding line was attached to the lifting beam. The closing and tag lines were attached to the clamshell bucket positioned on the ground. The crane operator swung his boom with the lifting beam toward the two men standing atop the concrete ring. Employee #2 was at the tractor end, and employee #1 was opposite him. Both were in contact with the lifting beam ends inside the concrete ring. When employee #2's arm got warm, he looked up and saw an arc. The crane operator swung the boom away from the power line. However, employee #1 fell back, electrocuted. The crane operator said the sun was in his eyes.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-8. What must be done if there is any indication the procedures being followed are inadequate to protect workers while working near power lines?

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