Overhead and buried power lines are especially hazardous to workers primarily because they carry extremely high voltage. This high voltage poses a serious risk of electrocution, which can be fatal. Workers do not need to touch the lines directly to be at risk; electricity can arc or jump gaps, meaning proximity alone can cause a deadly electric shock. In addition to electrocution, contact with power lines can cause severe burns, fires, explosions, and falls from elevated equipment. The coverings on overhead power lines are mainly for weather protection, so touching a power line, even if it is covered, often results in death. Because of these dangers, proper awareness, training, safe distance maintenance, and sometimes power isolation by utility companies are critical to worker safety near power lines.
Main hazards to workers
- High voltage electrocution risk from direct or near contact.
- Electrical arcing causing shocks without physical contact.
- Severe burns and potential fires or explosions.
- Falls from elevation due to electric shock or equipment immobilization.
- Lack of visible differentiation between power lines and other cables, increasing accidental contact risk.
Safety measures
- Maintaining safe distances (e.g., OSHA recommends at least 10 feet from lines up to 50kV).
- Training workers to recognize overhead and buried power line hazards.
- Consulting and working with utility companies for power line outage or site-specific controls.
- Using supervisors to enforce safety and awareness on-site.
These factors make working near overhead and buried power lines one of the most dangerous tasks in many industries.
