Workers using bucket trucks routinely encounter electrical hazards when operating near overhead power lines. The danger of serious injury is significantly increased for non-electrical workers when they are not specifically trained to recognize electrical hazards and how to avoid them.
Elevated utility lines pose a particularly dangerous hazard to employees who use bucket trucks to perform non-electrical work. Under certain circumstances, even typical household electrical and telephone outlets can draw adequate electrical amperage to kill a person. The pros and cons discussed below present recommendations to avoid the risk of electrocution faced by employees who are not electricians.
- All utility lines should be treated as if they are energized and should never be touched with bare hands.
- All objects and personnel must remain at least 10 feet away from power lines.
- When working around electrical wires, the bucket must be insulated with material that has the correct rating.
- Even when working from an insulated bucket, you need to make sure your team can’t accidentally develop additional paths for electricity to travel to ground.
- For close work near live wires, you must insulate the power lines and wear the proper protective equipment.
- All electrical equipment and insulation barriers must be dry and free of dirt, worn spots, cracks, and other forms of deterioration.
- Personal protective equipment and power tools must be properly rated for the job.
- Always check with the power company to see if they can turn off the power or install insulation over nearby power lines.
- Increase the minimum clearance from power cords when using long-handled tools so that the tools cannot accidentally contact the cord at their longest extensions.
- Employees around the bucket truck must not make physical contact with the vehicle when it is in use near utility lines.
OSHA regulations on working near insulated power lines state that for voltages less than 300, the minimum distance workers must maintain is 3 feet.
The three foot rule reflects OSHA standards. NIOSH, on the other hand, recommends that workers maintain a minimum distance of 10 feet from power lines rated 50 kv or less. Above 50 kv, NIOSH recommends an additional 0.4 inches for every 1 kv above 50.
We note in passing that the standards for crane safety, CFR 1926.550(a)(15)(i), specify that a minimum clearance of 10 feet must be maintained between crane loads and utility lines. less than 50kv.
Most power lines are not insulated. Therefore, the best safety practice is to consider all power lines to be energized and not to come within ten feet of them. Of course, you will need to take into account all other safety elements and increase the minimum distance accordingly.