WORKING SAFELY AROUND OVERHEAD/UNDERGROUND POWER LINES

Contact with power lines is extremely dangerous and can cause serious injury or even death. So plan carefully: it could save your life!

Before You Begin

1. Check your work area before you start to identify overhead power lines.
2. Call Hydro at 1.888.737.1296 to make arrangements to have power lines de-energized, barricaded or moved from the work site if required.
3. If you plan to use drilling or trenching equipment, call Hydro to identify underground cable locations.
4. If employing a work crew, review the location of all power lines and cables to ensure everyone is aware of the potential dangers.

Working Near Power Lines

1. Stay 15 metres (49 feet) away from downed power lines, exposed underground cables or equipment operating around power lines.
2. Specific requirements for clearances and training are covered under the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Newfoundland and Labrador Regulation 70/09.
3. Workers must maintain a distance of 5.5 metres (18 feet) from energized equipment.
4. Special permits are required when working closer than 5.5 metres (18 feet) from energized power lines.
5. Operators of equipment that have the capability of contacting overhead or underground power lines must attend an approved “Power Line Hazards” safety course.

Please contact Hydro at 1.888.737.1296 before you work near power lines to ensure you know the clearance recommended to safely complete your particular job.

Know the Situation

The following are examples of work projects that require particular attention to overhead power lines and underground cables:

• Using machinery and equipment. Proceed with caution when operating large machinery or equipment to ensure that you are safely within recommended clearance guidelines.
• Unloading. Be aware of the location of power lines when loading or unloading equipment. Ensure the dump/boom body of your machinery is down before you leave the work site.
• Building sheds. When planning a shed or storage facility, contact Hydro to find out where it should be built in relation to the power lines in your area.
• Planting and trimming trees.Learn more about how to safely trim trees here and how to safely plant them by clicking here.
• Removing or cutting power lines. If your job requires you to remove or cut power lines or poles, contact Hydro to ensure you have the proper permissions and that the line and electricity equipment has been de-energized.
• Snow clearing. Snow clearing operators are reminded to be careful around electricity lines, poles and guy wires. High snow piles can reduce your ability to clearly identify these.

In an Emergency

• In a life-threatening situation or if there is a risk of fire, call your local emergency provider immediately.
• If there is no immediate risk, call Hydro’s emergency line at 1.888.764.9376 (1.888.76.HYDRO) to shut off the power.
• If a motor vehicle is involved in an accident with electrical lines, poles or transformer, treat the vehicle as energized. The driver of the vehicle should stay inside the vehicle until help has arrived, unless there is a risk of fire. If you must leave the vehicle, jump clear of the vehicle with your feet together and shuffle away keeping both feet close together. Never contact the ground and your vehicle at the same time.
• If someone else received an electrical shock, do not touch the person if she or he is still in contact with the source of electricity. The electricity will travel from their body into yours.
• If you see a downed power line, stay back 15 metres (49 feet) and contact Hydro immediately.
• If your equipment has made contact with electricity line, do not attempt to remove the equipment or the line yourself – wait for Hydro personnel to arrive.