The employer determines that it is infeasible to do the work without breaching the minimum approach distance under Table A of 1926.1408. Operate the crane at a slower-than-normal rate in the vicinity of power lines. Note: The work practices used by qualified persons installing insulating devices on overhead power transmission or distribution lines are covered by 1910.269 of this part, not by 1910.332 through 1910.335 of this part. (as established by the utility owner/operator or registered professional engineer who is a qualified person with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution). Employees standing on the ground may not contact the vehicle or mechanical equipment or any of its attachments, unless: The employee is using protective equipment rated for the voltage; or. Conductive materials and equipment. A device that automatically limits range of movement, set to prevent encroachment. (10 cm) for every 10kV over that voltage. Work on energized equipment. Examples of a visual aid include, but are not limited to: A clearly visible line painted on the ground; a clearly visible line of stanchions; a set of clearly visible line-of-sight landmarks (such as a fence post behind the dedicated spotter and a building corner ahead of the dedicated spotter). For driveways and other passages used by vehicles that are less than 8 feet in height, the rules for minimum clearances are: These are the distances used on most residential driveways. This is a safety consideration, aimed at keeping people safe from the danger of shock. Exercise caution when travelling over uneven ground that could cause the crane to weave or bob into power lines. The clearance between the uninsulated portion of the lift and the power line may be reduced to the distance specified for qualified persons. The procedures developed to comply with paragraph (d) of this section are implemented. Each year an average of 15 electrocutions were caused by contact between cranes or similar boomed vehicles and energized, overhead power lines. No part of the equipment, load line, or load (including rigging and lifting accessories) is allowed below a power line unless the employer has confirmed that the utility owner/operator has deenergized and (at the worksite) visibly grounded the power line, except where one of the exceptions in paragraph (d)(2) of this section applies. boom trucks) or any of its attachments unless: The person uses protective equipment rated for the voltage, or. On March 31, 1993, a 20-year-old male truck driver and his 70-year-old male employer (the company president) were electrocuted when the boom of a truck-mounted crane contacted a 7,200-volt conductor of an overhead power line. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. A tag used without a lock, as permitted by paragraph (b)(2)(iii)(C) of this section, shall be supplemented by at least one additional safety measure that provides a level of safety equivalent to that obtained by the use of a lock. Verification of deenergized condition. 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 may not stand at the grounding location whenever there is a possibility of overhead line contact. Examples of a visual aid include, but are not limited to: A clearly visible line painted on the ground; a clearly visible line of stanchions; a set of clearly visible line-of-sight landmarks (such as a fence post behind the dedicated spotter and a building corner ahead of the dedicated spotter). Mobile cranes and power lines - National Safety Council 1095 Willowdale Road Research has shown that it is difficult to judge accurately the distance to an overhead object such as a power line [Middendorf 1978]. The requirements of paragraph (b)(4) of this section do not apply to work covered by subpart V of this part. An official website of the State of Oregon Staying away from power lines is the best option. On the day of the incident, the victim positioned the truck-mounted crane beneath the power line. Power line safetywhile traveling under or near power lines with no load. After the wall was poured, the driver of the cement truck cleaned the loading chute on his truck with a water hose mounted on the truck. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requests assistance in preventing electrocutions of crane operators and crew members working near overhead power lines. Nearly 30% (113) of these electrocutions involved cranes. They often have stricter guidelines than the national rules. Always call 811 before you dig to verify the location of underground utilities. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. Overhead power lines are not insulated. GPO Source: e-CFR 1926.1408 (a) Hazard assessments and precautions inside the work zone. Maintain a 10 ft. clearance space between the power lines and your equipment. The victim was carrying a metal ladder upright to his work van. While all three men watched the blocks, the tip of the crane boom contacted a conductor of the overhead power line and completed a path to ground through the truck, the remote control unit, and the driver. A dedicated spotter who is in continuous contact with the operator. Also, select safe locations with ample power line clearance for equipment and materials. Where discrepancies exist, the local rules always take precedence over the national codes. If tag lines are used, they must be nonconductive. overhead lines, but many power lines are buried underground. Occupational Safety and Health Before assembling or disassembling equipment, the employer must determine if any part of the equipment, load line, or load (including rigging and lifting accessories) could get, in the direction or area of assembly/disassembly, closer than 20 feet to a power line during the assembly/disassembly process. 91-21. 1926.1408 - Power line safety (up to 350 kV)--equipment operations. OSHA recognizes three different qualification levels for line-clearance tree trimmers: Unqualified employees (that is, electrically unqualified) 269-qualified employees Line-clearance tree trimmers Unqualified employees must maintain the minimum approach distances of at least 10 feet from overhead power lines. Until November 8, 2013, the following procedure may be substituted for the requirement in (d)(4)(i) of this section: The employer must use a link/device manufactured on or before November 8, 2011, that meets the definition of an insulating link/device, except that it has not been approved by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, and that is maintained and used in accordance with manufacturer requirements and recommendations, and is installed at a point between the end of the load line (or below) and the load; and. Specific work practice requirements are detailed in paragraph (c) of this section. Work at a safe distance. The actual number of workers who died from crane contact with energized power lines is higher than reported by NTOF because methods for collecting and reporting these data tend to underestimate the total number of deaths [NIOSH 1993a]. 2. Contacting an overhead power line could cost you your life. These distances are regarded as enough to provide safe passage to all pedestrians, even when they are carrying tools or other objects. An elevated warning line, barricade, or line of signs, in view of the operator, equipped with flags or similar high-visibility markings. The person is insulated from all conductive objects at a potential different from the energized part. Overhead Power Lines Safety | Environmental Health and Safety Qualified persons. The OSHA regulations are summarized as follows: De-energize and visibly ground electrical distribution and transmission lines [29 CFR 1910.333(c)(3); 29 CFR 1926.550(a)(15)] A review of the NTOF data has revealed that many occupational groups (e.g., brickmasons, carpenters, painters, construction laborers, and plasterers) are at risk of electrocution because their jobs involve working from scaffolds near overhead power lines [NIOSH 1991]. An insulating link/device, as defined in 1926.1401, installed at a point between the end of the load line (or below) and the load. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. The specific safety-related work practices shall be consistent with the nature and extent of the associated electrical hazards. Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Devices originally designed by the manufacturer for use as a safety device (. Figure 1. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. NIOSH [1990c]. It has known security flaws and may not display all features of this and other websites. The equipment is located so that no uninsulated part of its structure (that portion of the structure that provides a conductive path to employees on the ground) can come closer to the line than permitted in paragraph (c)(3)(iii) of this section. An insulating link/device installed at a point between the end of the load line (or below) and the load. They were located 15 feet away from (and parallel to) the power line. The clearance requirement for scaffolds, vehicles, and mechanical equipment may be reduced if: The vehicle is in transit with its structure lowered. Where lack of illumination or an obstruction precludes observation of the work to be performed, employees may not perform tasks near exposed energized parts. (10 cm) for every 10kV over that voltage. sending electricity through the ladder and your body, which can cause severe injuries or even death. The recommendations in this Alert should be followed by all employers, managers, supervisors, and workers in companies that use cranes or similar boomed vehicles. When the foreman noticed that the boom remained in contact with the power line, he tried to open one of the truck doors (presumably to move the truck). Look up and live - National Grid Safety Power lines are presumed to be uninsulated unless the utility owner/operator or a registered engineer who is a qualified person with respect to electrical power transmission and distribution confirms that a line is insulated.