OSHA has outlined what actions must be taken to safe guard workers, equipment and electric consumers when working in close proximity to power lines. Last week we looked at OSHA's 20 and 50-foot minimum standards for operating near power lines. This week we will look at identifying the work zone to ensure the OSHA standards are met.

Before beginning crane operations, when working near any energized power lines, the employer must abide one of the following:

 a) Identify the work zone by demarcating boundaries (such as with flags, a range limit device or a range control warning device) and prohibiting the operator from operating the crane past those boundaries.

b)  Define the work zone as the area 360 degrees around the crane, up to the crane's maximum working radius. 

Then the employer must determine if any part of the crane, load line or load could get closer than 20 feet to a power line.  If so, then the employer must meet the requirements of one of the following options in the order they appear:

Option 1 - Confirmation from the utility owner/operator that the power line has been deenergized and visibly grounded at the work site.

Option 2 - Ensure that no part of the crane, load line or load gets closer than 20 feet (for up to 350 kV) to the power line by implementing specific measures (these measures will be discussed in next week's newsletter).

 Option 3 - Determine the line's voltage and use the minimum approach distance permitted under §1926.1408 Table A (these distances will be outlined in next week's newsletter).

So with these guidelines established, dare we ask, when was the last time you took a fresh look at your work zone to ensure that a 20-foot boundary from the cranes total reach has been maintained?

Safety through Education is more than our tagline, it is our guiding principle!