20/06/2025

HSSE WORLD

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Photo of the day: Overhead powerline safety

6 min read
4 years ago Khaled Ismail

Between 2011 and 2018, 38% of all electrically related workplace fatalities were caused by overhead power lines. In the majority of these cases, fatalities occurred in occupations with little to no electrical safety training. So when you’re on a job site, remember to always look up, always – it can save your life.

In the photo of the Day: overhead Powerline safety Tips to avoid Powerline risks and injuries

If a vehicle or object contacts a power line or utility pole:

  • Consider all lines to be live and dangerous 
  • Tell others not to approach the vehicle, downed lines, or anything that may be in contact with downed lines
  • Warn others to stay at least 35 feet away 
  • Stay in place or inside your vehicle unless you see fire or smoke
  • Call 911

In the event of fire or smoke:

  • Do not touch the ground and vehicle at the same time
  • Jump from the vehicle with your feet together
  • Shuffle away and avoid lifting your feet

In 2016, 53% of all fatal electrical injuries occurred in the Construction industry. The Construction industry remained the leading source of fatal electrical injuries with 82, about three times the contribution of the second-highest source, Professional and Business Services. Learn how to work safely near power lines with these simple steps:

  1. Locate all overhead power lines
  2. Keep self and equipment 10 feet away from all overhead power lines
  3. Do not touch anything that is in contact with the power line
  4. Beware of fencing near power lines
  5. Carry ladders and other equipment horizontally
  6. Lower equipment apparatus before driving
  7. Never spray water near power lines
  8. Stay at least 35 feet away from fallen power lines

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.
  • Use wooden or fiberglass ladders outdoors. Metal ladders conduct electricity.
  • Contact your utility company immediately to report downed power lines outside your home.
  • Always assume fallen power lines are energized. Stay at least ten 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.

(learn more at : video-working-safely-near-powerlines-safety-moment26/)

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 or not 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, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. This will minimize the potential for a strong electric shock.
  • If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with the downed line, do not touch the person. You could become the next victim. Call emergency contact number 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 car because it is on fire, jump out of the vehicle with both feet together and avoid contact with both the car and the ground at the same time. Shuffle away from the car.

(learn more:working-safely-near-overhead-electric-power-lines/).

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Overhead powerline safety

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