Rigging Around Power Lines Safety

• Contact with energized overhead power lines
• Electrical arcing from equipment or loads near power lines
• Tag lines, rigging, or loads entering unsafe clearance zones
• Poor visibility of overhead hazards
• Equipment movement reducing clearance
• Workers assuming insulated equipment eliminates the hazard

Rigging and lifting near overhead power lines is extremely dangerous. Contact does not always have to occur for electricity to injure or kill a worker. Electricity can arc across a gap when equipment, loads, or rigging get too close.

Power lines should be identified before lifting begins. Crews should look for overhead lines near the setup area, travel path, swing radius, load path, staging area, and landing zone.

Minimum approach distances must be followed. If the required clearance cannot be maintained, work should stop until the hazard is controlled through proper planning, utility coordination, de-energizing, relocation, or other approved methods.

Cranes, boom trucks, excavators, forklifts, dump beds, ladders, tag lines, and suspended loads can all create electrical hazards near power lines. Workers should not focus only on the machine and forget about the load or rigging.

Spotters may be required when equipment operates near overhead hazards. Spotters must have a clear view, understand the clearance requirements, and communicate clearly with the operator.

Workers on the ground are also at risk. If equipment contacts an energized line, electricity can travel through the equipment, load, rigging, ground, or nearby conductive materials.

Tag lines should be used carefully around power lines. Wet ropes, conductive materials, and poor load control can create additional hazards if the load drifts toward energized lines.

The safest lift is one planned to stay well away from power lines. If there is any doubt about clearance, voltage, or control of the load, stop and reassess before continuing.

• Identify overhead power lines before lifting.
• Maintain required minimum approach distances.
• Consider the load, rigging, boom, and swing radius.
• Use a spotter when required or when visibility is limited.
• Do not assume equipment insulation makes the work safe.
• Stop work if clearance cannot be maintained.
• Coordinate with the utility when power line hazards cannot be avoided.

• Are there overhead power lines near the lift area?
• Can required clearance be maintained during the entire lift?
• Could the load, boom, rigging, or tag line drift toward the line?
• Is a spotter needed for this lift?
• Has utility coordination been completed if clearance is limited?