General steps when working near a high power electrical line:
(1) The power company should be contacted prior to any work near a high energy power line. The line should either be de-energized or covered with insulating line hoses or blankets.
(2) Workers should be instructed in cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques and know how to provide first aid.
(3) Workers should be instructed in proper safety techniques when around high power electrical lines and warned of dangerous work practices.
(4) Workers should wear personal protective equipment such as gloves and sleaves when working on any high power line not positively known to be de-energized and grounded.
De-energizing a power line may involve:
(1) establishing a visible open point between the load and supply sides of the line
(2) opening a fused disconnect
(3) opening a fused switch
(4) removing a tap jumper if the load permits
Testing the line to see if energized:
(1) "Fuzzing" (touching a high energy wire with a piece of metal and looking for a spark or listening for a crackle or buzzing sound) will detect high voltage but is an insensitive method for determining if low voltage is present in a line.
(2) Although a line may appear on initial inspection to be de-energized, feedback circuits between lines may be difficult to detect.
(3) A line should be considered "hot" until it has been positively shown to be de-energized and grounded. De-energized power lines being worked on should be grounded on both sides of the worker.
(4) All de-energized lines should be tested with a neon light, light-emitting diode or other low voltage testing equipment.
Ladders near high power lines:
(1) Ladders used near a high power electrical line should be nonconductive whenever possible. These are made of wood or fiberglass.
(2) If a ladder of metal' aluminum or other conductive material is used near a power line, it should be positioned so as not to come in contact with the electrical line. It must be balanced and secured to prevent contact with the power line.
