PECO Energy's Safety Six -- A Guide to Safety Around Power Lines
PECO Energy has developed the following six safety tips as a reminder for you to be aware of the power lines where you live and work.
Electricity can be dangerous if not properly used. Following these safety guidelines. They will help to protect you, your family, and your employees.
- Always assume power lines are live. This applies to power lines on utility poles as well as those entering your home or buildings. Even momentary contact can injure or kill. Always keep yourself, your equipment and anything you carry at least 10 feet from power lines. Even though you may notice a covering on a line, NEVER assume it is safe to touch. Stay Away, Stay Alive.
- Never stand ladders near power lines. When working on or near ladders, keep all tools, the ladder, and anything you carry well away (at least 10 feet) from power lines.
- Keep all cranes, scaffolding and high reach equipment away from power lines. Contact with a power line can cause serious burns or electrocution. Remember to work a safe distance from all power lines. When performing construction activities, keep equipment at least 10 feet from power lines and 25 feet from transmission tower lines.
- Keep yourself and others away from any fallen power lines. You never know when they might be live. Call PECO Energy at 1-800-841-4141 right away and report the location of the downed wires. If a line falls on your car, stay in your car. If you must get out of the car, jump clear, do not touch any part of your car and the ground at the same time and stay clear of the fallen line.
- Do not climb or trim trees near power lines. Keep children from climbing trees near power lines. Hire a qualified contractor to trim trees near power lines. If you have any questions about removing limbs or trees near power lines, call PECO Energy at 1-800-841-4141.
- You are required by law to call Pennsylvania One Call at 1-800-242-1776 before you dig. They will help you to locate gas, electric and telephone lines. Whether you are planting a tree, building a fence or laying foundation, contacting a line with a shovel or pick can damage power lines - and injure or kill.
If you are conducting any work or activity that may bring yourself, your equipment and anything you carry within ten feet of a power line, call PECO Energy 1-800-841-4141.
For more information regarding location of underground utility lines in your neighborhood or work area, call Pennsylvania One Call 1-800-242-1776.
Working Near PECO Energy Lines
Safety on the job site is the employer's/contractor's obligation under OSHA.
You must notify PECO Energy before working within 10 feet of overhead lines. Contact your local Contractor & Builder Services organization.
OSHA General Industry Standards Section 1910.333, Selection and Use of Work Practices, Sub-section (c) (3), Overhead Lines, states:
If work is to be performed near overhead lines, the lines shall be de-energized and grounded, or other protective measures shall be provided before work is started. If protective measures, such as guarding, isolating, or insulating are provided, these precautions shall prevent employees from contacting such lines directly with any part of their body or indirectly through conductive materials, tools, or equipment.
WARNING - Workers may be electrocuted or seriously injured by contact with power lines. Most overhead power lines are not insulated. PECO Energy prefers to de-energize lines that may conflict with construction or any other activity. If lines cannot be de-energized, PECO Energy will seek to install protective devices designed to guard against accidental contact with the energized lines.
In all cases, the Contractor is required to:
- Provide an awareness barrier
- Inform all workers of the location of PECO facilities
- Instruct them that these facilities are not to be contacted at any time by personnel, tools, material, or equipment, and to keep clear whether energized or not
- Supervise the work while it is being performed to assure compliance with OSHA regulations and these instructions
- Proactively take action to prevent any contact with PECO Energy facilities by workers, equipment, tools, or carried items.
For a free copy of the video, "Power and Space, the Ten Foot Circle of Safety," contact Contractor and Builder Services.