If you are washing windows in a downtown metropolis, you will certainly be working close to live power lines. Whether it is working from a:
- Bosun’s chair
- Ladder
- Temporary platform
- Scaffold
working near hydro lines can be dangerous! Unfortunately, some property managers and maintenance workers do not fully understand the risks these lines pose.
Making the Area Safe
In Ontario, for instance, the Occupational Health and Safety Act states that it is the contractor’s responsibility to assess hazards and ensure that everyone on the work site adheres to the safe limits of approach for live lines (this is not the responsibility of the hydro company). A constructor may be a building owner, general contractor, property manager/owner’s representative (amongst others).
If the hazard assessment and the safe limits are not conducted or adhered to, then the work site could be shut down. If an injury did occur, one or all of the constructors could be held liable.
If you are working near lines, you must do one of two things:
- Call the hydro company for more information about de-energizing (temporarily cutting off) or relocating or removing the power lines.
- Call the hydro company to have the lines covered. This option is beneficial as it makes the lines much more visible than they usually would be to alert (remind) the workers of the danger. Please be aware that while covered lines draw attention to the lines, they do not provide any protection when contacted. These covers must also be removed, tested and replaced every six months.
There is a fee for the above-mentioned services, though. Cost estimates and installation schedules can be obtained by contacting the hydro company in advance. Although the work may be performed by a contractor if authorized by the hydro company. Check your local listing for the hydro company in your area.
All Electrical Lines Are Hazardous
It must be noted that contact with any line (even a residential secondary line) can cause serious injury or death. That is why it is important to take proper precautions to protect workers.
In Ontario, it is required that all workers and “tools, ladders, scaffolding and other equipment that are capable of conducting electricity” keep a minimum distance of three metres (ten feet) from high voltage lines between 750 V and 75 kV (the full listing is shown below).
All lines must be treated as high-voltage until the hydro company has identified the voltage.
The property manager/owner’s representative must evaluate the work site well in advance. Then, before the work starts, they should review the work site with their general contractor (and their workers) and point out the location of all lines near or within the building.
Daily Inspection
If you have covers installed (option 2. mentioned above) you must inspect them each day prior to work commencing. You should look for:
- Fallen covers
- Loose covers
- Gaps in the covers
If you notice any exposed equipment or lines, then call the hydro company immediately, and they will make the necessary repairs. Only the hydro company or one of their authorized contractors may install or repair covers and only their covers may be used on lines.
Bottom Line
If you come across any power line:
- Stay back three metres (ten feet)
- Contact your local hydro company
- Have the lines de-energized or covered
- Stay alert daily