On a busy construction site, hazards come in all forms, but few are as deadly or as often overlooked as power lines. Each year, workers suffer serious injuries and even fatalities due to accidental contact with live electrical cables, both overhead and underground.
Whether you’re trenching, drilling, excavating, or simply staking out a site, it’s critical to treat electricity with respect. One wrong move near a live wire can cause not only physical harm but also damage expensive equipment or halt a project entirely.
Where the Risks Lie
The danger isn’t limited to obvious overhead lines. Workers are especially vulnerable when using hand tools, jackhammers, concrete saws, and heavy equipment like mechanical excavators near buried cables. Even service ducts and shallow trenches can hide high-voltage surprises beneath the surface.
Power Line Safety Best Practices
Protect your crew and equipment with these power line safety tips:
- Assume more cables are present than marked. Even after using your state’s One Call system, dig with caution.
- Avoid using mechanical equipment too close to buried lines. Instead, use hand tools to expose the area safely.
- Dig trial holes first. This helps confirm the exact location and depth of underground cables.
- Use insulated hand tools but keep them clean. Dirt or debris can compromise their safety.
- Always wear proper PPE. Gloves and other gear offer added protection in case of contact.
- Treat all cables as live. Never assume a cable is de-energized until confirmed by a qualified professional.
- Protect exposed cables. If cables are revealed during digging, use timber boards or sandbags to prevent accidental damage.
Bonus Tip: Assign a Safety Watcher
If your site has sufficient personnel, consider designating a team member as a safety watcher. Their sole responsibility is to monitor activities near power lines, both above and below ground, and ensure proper clearances are maintained.
In Case of Emergency
Ensure your team knows what to do if contact is made with a live cable. Emergency procedures should be reviewed regularly and discussed during toolbox talks. When an incident involves electricity, fast and informed action can save lives.
Stay Proactive with Safety
Power line safety should be a core part of your jobsite protocols, not an afterthought. With the right awareness, training, and protective measures in place, contractors can reduce the risk of injury and costly damage, keeping projects on time and crews safe.
For more safety resources or help building a risk management strategy, contact McHugh Insurance Group today.