Working On or Near Overhead Lines

If work is to be performed near overhead lines, the lines must be de-energized and grounded, or other protective measures must be provided before work is started. If the lines are to be de-energized, arrangements must be made with the person or organization that operates or controls the electrical circuits involved to de-energize and ground them. If protective measures, such as guarding, isolating, or insulating, are provided, these precautions must prevent employees from contacting such lines directly with any part of their body, or indirectly through conductive materials, tools, or equipment.

When an unqualified person is working in an elevated position near overhead lines, the location must be such that the person and the longest conductive object he or she may contact cannot come closer to any unguarded, energized overhead line than certain distances set out in 29 CFR 1910.333.

When a qualified person is working near overhead lines, the person cannot approach or take any conductive object without an approved insulating handle closer to exposed energized parts than certain approved distances, unless effectively insulated.

Any vehicle or mechanical equipment capable of having parts of its structure elevated near energized overhead lines must be operated so that a clearance of 10 feet is maintained. If the voltage is higher than 50 kilovolts, the clearance must be increased four inches for every 10 kilovolts over that voltage. However, the clearance may be reduced under certain conditions set out in 29 CFR 1910.333.

If any vehicle or mechanical equipment capable of having parts of its structure elevated near energized overhead lines is intentionally grounded, employees working on the ground near the point of grounding cannot stand at the grounding location whenever there is a possibility of overhead line contact.

Additional precautions, such as the use of barricades or insulation, must be taken to protect employees from hazardous ground conditions that can develop within the first few feet or more outward from the grounding point.

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