Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth
Stanley "Skip" Pruss
Director

Electrical Incidents - Contact with Power Lines

Electricity is an essential part of modern life. Because it is such a familiar part of our surroundings, it often is not treated with the respect it deserves. Electrocution is one of the leading causes of fatalities in the construction industry. MIOSHA has investigated 23 fatal electrocutions in the 5-year period of 2002 through 2006.

MIOSHA Part 1, General Rules, Rule 114 requires an Accident Prevention Program at construction sites that must address electrical hazards and the variety of ways electricity becomes a hazard. MIOSHA Part 1, Rule 115; Part 8, Handling and Storage of Materials; Part 11, Fixed and Portable Ladders; and Part 32, Aerial Work Platforms also have language which addresses maintaining a minimum of 10 feet from energized electrical parts. MIOSHA Part 17, Electrical Installations, Rule 1724 requires that employees not work near any part of an electrical power circuit unless protected. A specific electrical hazard that is addressed by MIOSHA standards is contact with power lines.

Examples Of Equipment That Can Contact Power Lines

· Backhoes, cranes, fork-trucks, man-lifts. MIOSHA Part 10, Rule 1023a, Lifting and Digging Equipment, requires a minimum of 10 feet clearance from energized electrical parts for certain types of equipment in operation.

· Scaffolds. MIOSHA Part 12, Rule 1212, Scaffolds and Scaffold Platforms, establishes minimum clearance distances for scaffolds from energized parts.

· Other equipment - Aluminum paint rollers, concrete pumpers, long handled cement finishing floats, metal building materials, metal ladders, raised dump truck beds.

How To Avoid Hazards

· Look for overhead power lines and buried power line indicators. Post warning signs. Contact utilities for buried power line locations.

· Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.

· Unless you know otherwise, assume that overhead lines are energized.

· De-energize and ground lines when working near them. Other protective measures include guarding or insulating the lines.

· Use non-conductive wood or fiberglass ladders when working near power lines. Maintaining the minimum distances discussed in the MIOSHA Rules noted above is the preferred means of protection.

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