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Laws Related to Work Around Power Lines
OSHA Regulations*
- Employers must establish safety-related work practices to protect employees against the danger of contacting power lines.
- Before any work is begun, the employer must determine whether the work may bring any worker, tool, or machine near a power line. If so, the employer must post warning signs, advise employees of the location of the lines, the hazards involved, and protective measures to take.
- Every power line must be treated as energized unless and until the utility indicates that it is not energized.
- If work is to be performed near power lines, the lines must be de-energized or other protective measures must be taken BEFORE any work begins. If the lines are to be de-energized, arrangements must be made with the electric utility.
- For power lines of 50,000 volts and below, a worker or any part of a conductive material, tool, piece of equipment or machine must not come within ten (10) feet of an energized line. For power lines above 50,000 volts, this minimum clearance requirement increases four (4) inches for every 10,000 volts.
- Violators are subject to criminal penalties.
Texas Law**
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Work must not be performed around power lines if at any time it is possible that a worker or any part of a tool, machine, piece of equipment or material may come within six (6) feet of the lines.
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Cranes or similar equipment must not be operated around power lines if at any time it is possible that any part of the equipment may come within ten (10) feet of the lines.
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The only exception to these requirements is when the parties responsible for the work have effectively guarded against the danger of contacting the lines. Those parties responsible for the work must notify the electric utility at least 48 hours BEFORE the work begins to arrange for measures to guard against contact with the lines. The work may not begin until those parties and the utility have negotiated and taken proper safety precautions, such as de-energizing the lines.
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Responsible parties that violate this law are subject to criminal penalties. In addition, if a violation results in contact with a power line, they are also liable to the utility for all damages and liability it incurs due to the contact.
* Code of Federal Regulations, Title 29, Part 1910.180, 1910.333,
1926.416, 1926.417 and 1926.550.
** Texas Health & Safety Code, Chapter 752.
Last Modified: August 10, 2010
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