Download Safe Operating Procedures for Working Around Overhead and

Safe Operating Procedures for Working Around Overhead and Underground Utilities
Purpose
To define the safe operating procedures in a manner that informs and instructs employees of
[Employer/Organization Name] on the key health and safety hazards and controls to remember
when working around overhead power lines and underground wires/utilities.
Hazards
Critical injury or fatality
Electric shock
Fire or explosion from contact with underground natural gas lines
Equipment or property damage
Safe Operating Procedure
Overhead Wires
No object shall be brought closer to an energized overhead power line than the
distances specified in the following table:
Nominal phase–to–phase voltage
Minimum Distance
rating
750 or more volts, but no more than
3 metres
150,000 volts
More than 150,000 volts, but no more
4.5 metres
than 250,000 volts
More than 250,000 volts
6 metres
The supervisor must complete a jobsite inspection prior to conducting any work. This
will include confirming the overhead power lines voltage and whether they are live or
not.
Warning devices must be posted in the area of the hazard. They must be visible under
any conditions in which equipment may be operating (e.g. rain, fog, etc).
All employees performing work near overhead wires must be advised of the hazard, and
provided with safety procedures prior to beginning work.
Ensure all employees on site are aware of the appropriate emergency responses.
Equipment operators must be provided with written notification of the electrical hazard
before beginning any work onsite.
A signaler must be designated to warn the operator when any part of the equipment or
load may approach the minimum distance. This signaler must be in full view of the
operator, and have a clear view of the equipment and the conductor.
Do not let ladders lean or drift toward overhead power lines.
Always maintain minimum allowable clearances.
If There Is Contact Between Equipment and Overhead Power Lines
Stay on the equipment. Do not touch the equipment and the ground at the same time.
Touching anything in contact with the ground can be fatal. Stay on the equipment,
unless forced off because of a life-threatening hazard, such as fire.
Keep others away. Warn everyone not to touch the equipment or its load. Beware of
time-delayed relays. After line damage trips a breaker, relays may still try to restore
power, they may reset automatically two or three times.
Break contact. If possible, break contact by moving the equipment clear of the wires.
Call the local utility. Get someone to call the local electrical utility for help. Stay on the
equipment until the utility shuts down the line, and confirms that power is off.
Jump clear. If forced to leave the equipment, jump carefully off of the equipment onto
the ground, landing only on your feet, with your feet together. Touching the equipment
and the ground at the same time can be fatal. Touching the ground at different points
can also be fatal. Shuffle slowly away from the equipment, using very small steps to
minimize the contact area with the ground.
Report the contact. Follow established incident reporting procedures.
Underground Wires and Lines
Before excavating, the property owner or supervisor must contact the owner of the
service to locate and mark all underground wires and lines.
Contact Ontario One Call at 1 800 400 2255
Underground lines and wires must be marked on the drawings used for excavating.
Warning signs must be posted along the route of the underground wires and lines.
All employees performing excavating work near underground wires and lines must be
advised of their location, and how they are identified.
Legislative Reference
Regulation 213 for Construction Projects
Document Management
Effective Date:
Revision Date: