osha overhead power lines

The employer determines that it is infeasible to do the work without breaching the minimum approach distance under Table A of 1926.1408. The leading cause of the accidental contacts was heavy equipment, (cranes, drill rigs, backhoes, etc.) Methods to eliminate or reduce those hazards. Topics covered include safe working distances from overhead lines, assessing and reducing the risks from overhead lines, use of barriers and goalposts, operating vehicles near overhead lines, ladders, and the safe stacking of materials. Lifting a load with a forklift into an overhead power line, or driving into an overhead line with an elevated load; Raising, swinging, or driving an elevated boom-lift, bucket-lift, or scissor-lift into an overhead line located nearby; Swinging or raising a load suspended from a crane into an overhead line; By developing a systematic approach to managing a crisis, you will reduce an emergency's impact on your company. If you have a suspicion, even after the locations of buried utilities have been determined, hand dig with extreme care. Cranes - [crawler cranes, rubber-tired hydraulic cranes, truck-mounted cranes]. Avoiding danger from overhead power lines. From 1982 through 1994, NIOSH conducted 226 onsite investigations of work-related electrocutions under the Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. Significant phone numbers (Le. The company president attempted to render assistance and apparently contacted the truck, completing a path to ground through his body. The procedures developed to comply with paragraph (d) of this section are implemented. Insulating links are used between the crane hook and the load. Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. The victim was a member of a crew that was constructing the back concrete wall of an underground water-holding tank at a sewage treatment plant. When an electrical current passes through the body, a worker will feel a tingle from 0.5 to 1.0 milliamps (rnA). Mobile cranes isolate the operator from the ground. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Examples of a visual aid include, but are not limited to: A clearly visible line painted on the ground; a clearly visible line of stanchions; a set of clearly visible line-of-sight landmarks (such as a fence post behind the dedicated spotter and a building corner ahead of the dedicated spotter). Depending on the severity of injury, the worker must often go through a long recovery which may include surgeries, physical and occupational therapy and counseling. The procedures developed to comply with paragraph (d) of this section are documented and immediately available on-site. Areas of high and low potential circle the energized equipment like ripples in a pond after a stone hits the surface. The operator must then shuffle his/her feet in very small steps away from the energized equipment. When using an observer the contractor should do the following: Protective technologies available for high-reaching equipment are limited in use and application. Power line safetywhile traveling under or near power lines with no load. A dedicated spotter who is in continuous contact with the operator. Always meet with the power utility prior to de-energizing the line so that they can visually identify for you what sections of the line are de-energized. OSHA Standard 1926.1407-1411 provides the requirements for power line safety when working with cranes and derricks in construction. American national standard for mobile and locomotive cranes. Remember, the power flowing through the ground could easily injure and kill you. A device that automatically limits range of movement, set to prevent encroachment. Workers should also be trained to recognize the hazards and use proper techniques when rescuing coworkers or recovering equipment in contact with electrical energy. Where differences in potentials at the worksite pose a hazard to employees, the employer shall provide electrostatic shielding designed for the voltage being worked. Before beginning work near power lines, power line owners should be notified of the date, time, and type of work involved and their permission should be requested to de-energize and ground power lines or provide insulated barriers. The ultimate responsibility for any damaged underground utility rests with the contractor performing the work. If any overhead lines are found, you should assume that they are live unless proved otherwise by their owners. At a minimum these procedures must include: If the power line is equipped with a device that automatically reenergizes the circuit in the event of a power line contact, before the work begins, the automatic reclosing feature of the circuit interrupting device must be made inoperative if the design of the device permits. This OSHA prevention video describes how to prevent deaths and injuries from employees' contact with overhead power lines while using cranes . In areas where obstacles prevent the barricade from being at least 10 feet away, the barricade must be as far from the equipment as feasible. If a power line contact occurs, it will prevent the boom from becoming energized, thus protecting all workers involved. CSA guidelines list techniques that can be used when equipment contacts energized power lines [CSA 1982] (see Current Standards in this Alert). This is also a time for planning safety. If you're digging, find out how much advance notice the local one-call service needs and if the utilities in your area are members (many one-call systems do not have all utilities as members even though most states require that buried utilities be located). This method is described in 1910.269, Appendix D. When distribution poles are being installed or removed, they must be protected from contacting any bare energized parts, and personnel handling the butt end of the pole must be insulated from the pole by wearing insulating gloves or using insulating tools. Workers must be protected from contact with energized lines or equipment that could occur because of failure of the pulling or tensioning equipment, failure of the wire or cable being pulled, or failure of previously installed equipment. On August 11, 1990, a 33-year-old well driller was electrocuted when a metal pipe lifted by a truck-mounted crane contacted a 12,000-volt overhead power line. 1926.1411 - Power line safetywhile traveling under or near power lines with no load. The well was located in a pasture with three parallel power lines overhead. Staff hours are devoted to investigation and follow-up. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. Power line safety (up to 350 kV)--equipment operations. If, after finding an underground cable, you're still unsure about the presence of additional cables continue to hand dig. The boom of a concrete pump contacted overhead power lines as it was guided over a pour. Exercise caution when travelling over uneven ground that could cause the crane to weave or bob into power lines. Chapter 1 Tragic Losses Every year, scores of workers lose their lives because of electrocutions caused by overhead and underground power lines. This test shall consist of placing the bucket in contact with an energized source equal to the voltage to be encountered for a minimum of 3 minutes. For horizontal clearance, use caution tape to mark the ground with the appropriate distance from the power line. CSA (Construction Safety Association) [1982]. Only power company personnel can deenergize a power line. This section establishes procedures and criteria that must be met for equipment traveling under or near a power line on a construction site with no load. When a pole is set, moved, or removed near an exposed energized overhead conductor, the pole may not contact the conductor. Product Description Indicate hazardous conditions like an overhead power line to inform and protect maintenance personnel, visitors etc. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Outreach Training Program (10- and 30-hour Cards), OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, Severe Storm and Flood Recovery Assistance. Under no circumstances, except for extreme cases such as fire, should the operator leave the equipment. Workers have been electrocuted when insulating sleeves have failed and the equipment they were working with became electrified. Additionally, if an open pole hole is left unattended, it must be covered or barricaded to avoid anyone tripping or falling. It is important to be aware of the electrocution hazards around overhead power lines. This is done so that the observer knows the exact location of the line clearance distance. Construction laborer is electrocuted when crane boom contacts overhead 7,200-volt power line in Kentucky. Operate the crane at a slower-than-normal rate in the vicinity of power lines. Twenty-nine (13%) of these incidents (which resulted in 31 fatalities) involved crane contact with overhead power lines. 1996, Chapter 1: Background ), Overhead power line clearance distance (Use 10/35 rule or calculate exact distance using formula in standard. Considering the kinds of variables that exist on most construction work sites - ever-changing site conditions, constant movement of materials and equipment, means for access, and human factors - the only reliable safeguard is distance. Failure of the pulling or tensioning equipment, Failure of the conductor or cable being pulled, or. People are also harmed when a person or object gets too close to a line and a flashover occurs. The laborer (who was working in the back of the truck) noticed that the lineman was being shocked and was unable to let go of the hand control. Reality: Electricity can arc over to an object. Effective crisis management involves developing a response team, a crisis plan and identifying possible crisis scenarios. They were located 15 feet away from (and parallel to) the power line. Overhead line work requirements are contained in 1910.269 (q). Although an arc's initial striking distance isn't appreciable, "brushing" up against a line with a conductive object, or simply having it within inches of the line and then backing it away can draw an arc out to several feet before it is extinguished. Safety precautions will depend on the nature of the work and will be essential even when work near the line is of short duration. Fatal Injuries to workers in the United States, 1980-1989: a decade of surveillance. Their locations aren't as easily identified. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requests assistance in preventing electrocutions of crane operators and crew members working near overhead power lines. Overhead Power Lines OSHA Danger Sign - MySafetySign.com These grounds must remain in place until all other installation work is done. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. The passageway should cross the route of the overhead line at right angles if possible. going close to a live overhead line can result in a flashover that may kill. a. The CSA recommendations also address the limitations of proximity warning devices, hook insulators, insulating boom guards, swing limit stops, nonconductive taglines, ground rods, and similar devices for protection against electrical hazards. The crane operator should try to remove the crane from contact by moving it in the reverse direction from that which caused the contact. Other workers standing near the equipment should move away from the energized equipment in the same manner. Workers installing a chain link fence directly under an overhead power line were electrocuted when one of the workers raised a long section of top rail and brought it into contact with the line. According to one major insurance carrier, the average claim cost for a power line electrocution is over $550,000. Among the predictable emergencies addressed in your company's emergency action plan, should be the methods you have identified to deal with accidental power line contacts. Your options for eliminating or reducing the hazard are: Your first choice is to eliminate or reduce the hazard. Also, the sleeves must be appropriate for the type of work being performed. This aspect of your plan should include: Management and worker training should include the following areas: Even though management and hourly workers may all be trained in the same areas, there is a difference in emphasis on specific sections depending on who is receiving the training. Information will be available from the local electricity supplier or Distribution Network Operator (DNO). Before transporting large boats or large objects, identify a safe route that avoids power lines. Such attachments may cause portions of the crane to project out beyond the location of the load line. After the wall was poured, the driver of the cement truck cleaned the loading chute on his truck with a water hose mounted on the truck. Overhead line work requirements are contained in 1910.269(q). When installing or removing overhead conductors, conductors sagging into energized lines must be avoided by using tensioning equipment, barriers, or other means. Determine the root cause and make changes in your program to insure that the incident doesn't happen again. NIOSH [1990b]. Middendorf L [1978]. This OSHA prevention video describes how to prevent deaths and injuries from employees' contact with overhead power lines while using ladders. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has published a standard for mobile and locomotive cranes that includes operation near overhead power lines [ANSI 1994]. While all three men watched the blocks, the tip of the crane boom contacted a conductor of the overhead power line and completed a path to ground through the truck, the remote control unit, and the driver. After you have identified the power line hazards and developed ways to prevent electrocutions, you should put it into a written plan. 25 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health The driver stopped the truck under the power line and the crane operator (not realizing that the truck had been moved) swung the boom to position the bucket behind the truck. When injuries from underground power lines occur, they're most frequently received by those operating powered hand tools or in contact with digging machinery. The voltage limitations of equipment employees will use. This frequently makes the areas under power lines tempting locations for staging and lay down operations. The warning lines should not be attached to the utility line or pole. If a problem occurs implementing the procedures being used to comply with paragraph (d) of this section, or indicating that those procedures are inadequate to prevent electrocution, the employer must safely stop operations and either develop new procedures to comply with paragraph (d) of this section or have the utility owner/operator deenergize and visibly ground or relocate the power line before resuming work. The factors that must be considered in making this determination include, but are not limited to: Conditions affecting atmospheric conductivity; time necessary to bring the equipment, load line, and load (including rigging and lifting accessories) to a complete stop; wind conditions; degree of sway in the power line; lighting conditions, and other conditions affecting the ability to prevent electrical contact. Know the location and voltage of all overhead power lines at the jobsite before operating or working with any crane. Participate in all crane safety programs offered. Laborer touching suspended cement bucket electrocuted when crane cable contacts 7,200-volt power line in North Carolina. For cranes, as the load approaches the caution tape, the observer will know that the boom tip is nearing the power line's buffer zone. If the crane cannot be moved away from contact, the operator should remain inside cab until the lines have been de-ener gized. At this point, the momentum of the swinging crane apparently caused the crane cable to contact the power line. Equipment design is the reason for the difference. A barrier prevents physical contact between the high-reaching equipment and the power line. If the activity will cross into the buffer zone of a power line, can the activity be moved to a safer location? Power lines are presumed to be energized unless the utility owner/operator confirms that the power line has been and continues to be deenergized and visibly grounded at the worksite. For example, management should receive more thorough training on hazard mitigation and the overall emergency plan. With this type of equipment, it is most often the riggers and other personnel positioned on the ground near the equipment that are killed or injured. Appendix B. So, the distances you need to add together to find the safe working clearance distance are: What should be done if you find out that the equipment you're operating will be closer than the safe working clearance distance mentioned above? Remember, high-risk equipment and activities include: Power lines over adjacent right-of ways and access roads can also present a contact risk. For lines operating at 50 kilovolts (kV) or less. OSHA's requirements regarding working near overhead power lines with cranes and other high-reaching equipment are straightforward. 1 1 U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Table 1, "Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, 1994-99," (Washington, DC, August 2000). Placement of the warning lines can be achieved with the use of wooden poles. Scenarios to consider regarding power line accidents include: Table 5: Impact of Experience Modifier on Workers' Compensation Insurance Premium, Developed and maintained by CPWR - Devices originally designed by the manufacturer for use as: A safety device (see 1926.1415), operational aid, or a means to prevent power line contact or electrocution, when used to comply with this section, must meet the manufacturer's procedures for use and conditions of use. Therefore, it is possible for the rigger to be protected, but any worker near the crane body to be electrocuted from current passing through the ground. The driver had backed the truck up the steeply sloped driveway under a power line at the site and was using the crane to unload a cube of concrete blocks. Use independent insulated barriers to prevent physical contact with the power lines [29 CFR 1910.333(c)(3); 29 CFR 1926. Cranes used on construction work sites fall with two general categories, mobile cranes and boom trucks. Chapter 3: Accident Sources Workers are killed each year when cranes contact overhead power lines. Remember, you can't be sure that the power is off just by looking at the victim. Saving Lives, Protecting People, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 95-108sum.pdf (Worker/Employer Summary Sheet Only), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Reports (FACE), Firefighter Fatality Investigation Reports, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is requesting assistance in preventing electrocutions that occur when portable metal ladders (including aluminum ladders) contact overhead power lines. The employer shall ensure that employees keep tools and equipment clean and dry while they are in use. Paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section does not apply to work covered by subpart V of this part. Give timely information to the operator so that the required clearance distance can be maintained. Equipment traveling on a construction site with a load is governed by 1926.1408, 1926.1409 or 1926.1410, whichever is appropriate, and 1926.1417(u).
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