A common construction hazard is working around high voltage overhead lines.

Every year, construction workers are killed or disabled after accidentally coming in contact with the lines.

With certain exceptions, work done over live (power on) overhead lines is against the law.  Working within 6 feet of lines carrying between 600 - 50, 000 volts is also prohibited.

Do not store tools, machinery, and equipment near live high voltage overhead lines if it is possible for them to come within the minimum clearance of 6 feet when they are being moved or used.

When moving boom-type equipment with boom lowered and no load attached, keep the end of the boom at least 6 feet away from high voltage lines.

When operating boom-type lifting or hoisting equipment, the minimum clearance between the line and any part of the crane or load is 10 feet when the overhead line is carrying between 600 and 50,000 volts.

For lines rated over 50,000 volts, minimum clearance between the lines and any part of the crane or load is 10 feet, plus 0.4 inch for each 1 kV over 50,000 volts, or twice the length of the line insulator,

but never less than 10 feet.

A person shall be designated to observe clearance of the equipment and give timely warning for all operations where it is difficult for the operator to maintain the desired clearance by visual means.

If you don’t know whether an overhead line is live, assume that it is until whoever owns or operates the line verifies that the power is off.