By K C Pawling, Road Safety and Loss Prevention Specialist
OSHA reports that contact with or exposure to electricity continues to be one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities and injuries in the United States. Between 2011 and 2022, a total of 1,322 people lost their lives in workplace incidents involving electricity, and 70% of these fatalities occurred in non-electricity related occupations. For example, tree trimmers, construction laborers, and truck drivers.
The three types of work just listed are part of the responsibilities of many county road departments. From bridge work to tree removal or ditch cleanout with an excavator or similar equipment, county employees are at risk when working near powerlines. The causes reported to OSHA are as follows:
48% working on or near energized wires or parts,
1% arc-flash/blast,
3% PPE issue,
6% lockout/tagout safety device removed, and
41% contact with overhead power lines.
The following are some safety tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation.
Power Line Safety Tips:
- Look up before raising a ladder or pole to make sure that it will not come within 10 feet of any power lines.
- Do not work within a minimum of 10 feet of all overhead power lines.
- Use wooden or fiberglass ladders outdoors. Metal ladders conduct electricity.
- Contact your utility company immediately to report downed power lines outside your home or workplace.
- Always assume fallen power lines are energized. Stay at least 35 feet away from a downed power line and any nearby objects it may be touching, such as a fence or a tree limb.
- Never touch a person who is in contact with a downed power line. Call 911 immediately.
- Downed power lines can carry an electric current strong enough to cause serious injury or even death. Electricity wants to move from a high voltage zone to a low voltage zone – and it could do that through your body.
Downed Power line Safety Tips:
- If you see a downed power line, move away from it and anything touching it. The ground around power lines – up to 35 feet away – may be energized.
- You cannot tell whether a power line is energized just by looking at it. You should assume that all downed power lines are live.
- The proper way to move away from the power line is to shuffle away with small steps, always keeping your feet together and on the ground. This will minimize the potential for a strong electric shock.
- If you see someone in direct or indirect contact with the downed line, do not touch them. You could become the next victim. Call 911 for help.
- Do not attempt to move a downed power line or anything else in contact with it by using an object such as a broom or stick. Even non-conductive materials like wood or cloth can conduct electricity if even slightly wet.
- Be careful not to touch or step in water near where a downed power line is located.
- Do not drive over downed power lines.
- If your car comes in contact with a downed power line while you are inside, stay in the car. Honk your horn to summon help, but direct others to stay away from your car.
- If you must leave your vehicle because it is on fire, jump out of the vehicle with both feet together and avoid contact with both the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Shuffle or bunny hop away from the vehicle or equipment.
I want to remind you that you are at risk of contacting powerlines when trimming trees, using an excavator, operating a crane, or spreading gravel with a dump truck. Take time to do a quick workplace safety audit, noting any of the hazards you may encounter. Don’t forget to take time to look up too!
I would also encourage you to contact your local electric utility provider and arrange for them to assist you with a safety meeting covering electrical safety. Most of the providers have a demonstration trailer that they will bring out to you and help you better understand the dangers of power lines.
Don’t forget that our loss prevention staff here at NIRMA are here to help with your safety meetings. If I can help in any way, do not hesitate to contact me. [email protected] or 402-310-4417.
