Working around electrical lines is a daily hazard for the construction industry and the standards for safety continue to be updated. Electrical hazards can cause burns, shocks and electrocution and for these reasons, OSHA has specific standards for these types of dangerous situations. Some citations will be delayed until early January 2017, but they should be standard practice for any construction site that exposes workers to the dangers of electrical injury. Specifically:
“Until January 31, 2017, for voltages of 72.6 to 169.0 kilovolts, no citations will be issued under 29 CFR 1910.269(l)(3)(ii) or 29 CFR 1926.960(c)(1)(ii), which require the employer to determine the maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, provided the employer assumes a maximum anticipated per-unit transient overvoltage, phase-to-ground, of 3.0 per unit. If peer-reviewed guidance regarding the calculation of maximum transient overvoltages is not available before May 1, 2016, OSHA will extend this policy as necessary to give employers time to read and implement such guidance when it becomes available.”
Above all, OSHA urges employers to assume that all overhead wires are energized at lethal voltages. Never assume that a wire is safe to touch even if it is down or appears to be insulated. Additional safety measures include:
- Post warning signs near overhead power lines and buried power line indicators.
- Instruct workers to stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines and use non-conductive wood or fiberglass ladders when working near power lines.
- Never touch a fallen overhead power line. Call the electric utility company to report fallen electrical lines.
- Stay at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from overhead wires during cleanup and other activities. If working at heights or handling long objects, survey the area before starting work for the presence of overhead wires.
- Never operate electrical equipment while standing in water.
- Never repair electrical cords or equipment unless qualified and authorized.
- Have a qualified electrician inspect electrical equipment that has gotten wet before energizing it.
- If working in damp locations, inspect electric cords and equipment to ensure that they are in good condition and free of defects, and use a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
For these and more construction safety tips, contact our offices at Diversified Safety Services.
