Overhead Power Lines Toolbox Talk
Overhead power lines kill people on building sites every year, usually through a crane, excavator, tipper, ladder or long length of pipe. You do not have to touch a line: electricity can jump the gap if you get too close. Today we cover the distances to keep and what to do if plant hits a line.
Takes about 5 minutes.
Key points to read out
- Identify every overhead line before work starts and mark them on the site plan. Assume they are live.
- Keep equipment at least 10 feet from lines up to 50 kV once the utility confirms the voltage, more for higher voltages, and 20 feet when the voltage is unknown, unless the utility has de-energized and grounded the line.
- Use a dedicated spotter whenever plant works near overhead lines. The spotter does nothing else.
- Watch for tipper bodies, excavator booms, concrete pumps, cranes, scaffold tubes, ladders and long materials.
- Ask the network operator to isolate, insulate or move the line if work has to be done close by.
- If plant contacts a line: stay in the cab, warn everyone to stay well back, and get the power cut.
- Only leave the cab if there is fire. Jump clear without touching the machine, land feet together, and shuffle or hop away.
- Never go near a fallen line or anyone in contact with one. Ground nearby can be live.
Questions to ask the crew
- Where are the overhead lines on or near this site?
- Which of our jobs today bring plant or long materials near them?
- What would you do if the excavator touched a line while you were in the cab?
- Who is our spotter when plant works near the lines?
Reference: 29 CFR 1926.1408 (Power line safety, cranes) and 1926.416
Sign-in sheet
Print this page or download the sign-in sheet. Or run it in the app and the crew signs on the phone.
| Name | Company | Signature |
|---|---|---|
Get it signed
Run this talk in the app. The crew signs on your phone and you get a dated attendance record as a PDF.