To ensure your company keeps a secure workspace, you must follow all safety tips for transmission and power line workers. Electricity can be unpredictable and create dangerous work environments every day, no matter what. If you do not review protocol, workers can face severe consequences.
Wear Your Personal Protective Equipment
When transmission or power line workers start their first jobs, they should have rubber insulated gloves, sleeves, and industrial protective hard hats. Failing to wear this equipment could be the difference between life and death when working on a broken power line.
Identify Potential Safety Hazards
Before beginning each job, assess and take inventory of potential hazards you could encounter that day. Identifying these hazards ensures that every worker is aware of them at the beginning of the day and minimizes the risk of future dangerous working conditions. Double-check all machinery for hazards as well; make sure that your cylinder crowd drilling rig and any other machinery you use is functioning properly before you start.
De-Energize Everything
Working on an active power line can be dangerous. Call the electric company at least two full business days before starting the work to guarantee that the power lines are off. If you are ever unsure whether a power line is off or not, check in with your manager and the energy company to verify that all power is no longer active.
Keep Safe Distances
Keep at least 10 feet from overhead lines and more than 10 feet if the voltage in the ground is over 50,000 volts. The higher the voltage on the worksite, the greater the distance should be between you and the power line.
Know the Difference Between Staying Put and Moving Away
Because you will encounter safety hazards, you should become familiar with the protocol on when to move away from the danger and when to stay put. If there is no threat of fire or power line strikes, then remain inside the equipment until the company can de-energize the line. If there is a fire or power line strike threat immediately after contact, jump as far away from the equipment as possible, keeping both feet together and shuffling instead of walking.
Never Touch Electrocuted Workers
If a worker receives an electrical shock from an incident, never try to touch or grab the employee. The electric current can travel from them to you, causing even more injuries. When an employee is in this situation, stay back at least 35 feet and call 911 immediately.
Learning the risks of working with electricity is crucial to every employee’s well-being. Follow every safety tip for transmission and power line workers to ensure the safety of every employee. Electricity is deadly and requires every employee and personnel to always be alert and know how to handle hazardous situations.
