Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around:
Electrical Safety for Construction Sites

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, electrocution is the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Whether you're a contractor, construction worker or an individual homeowner, your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative is committed to providing resources to help you reduce your risk of injury or death when working around live power sources.

Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around

Whenever working on a construction project, a helpful mantra to keep in mind is Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around. Being aware of your surroundings, noting any potential electrical hazards and taking appropriate precautions can go a long way toward promoting work site safety.

Look Up

Power lines overhead can pose a threat to your safety, particularly when moving vehicles or equipment around a construction site. Always contact your power cooperative before beginning a construction project. A trained professional will help assess the site and de-energize and ground power lines when necessary.

Here are some additional things you can do to keep you and your team safe:

• Survey your worksite for power lines, including those that might be obscured by trees or that might impede vehicle access.
• Maintain a safe distance of at least 20 feet from any power lines for yourself, your equipment and any vehicles.
• Designate a trained spotter to monitor power line clearance whenever a driver or equipment operator faces potential blind spots.

Should you make contact with a power line, remain in your vehicle and call 911. If you must exit due to fire or debris, do not climb out — jump as far away from the vehicle as possible without touching machinery and ground simultaneously. Once on the ground, hop with your feet together until you are at least 40 feet away from the vehicle and power lines.

Look Down

Underground power lines can be extremely dangerous during excavation projects of all sizes. Always call 811 or visit call811.com before you dig; professional locators will mark where underground lines exist to help you dramatically lower your risk of electrocution.

Contact your local power cooperative immediately if you ever run into a power line when digging. It is extremely dangerous to leave an exposed underground power line unattended, so be sure someone stays at the site until a professional is able to assess the situation. Only use equipment that has come into contact with a power line once it has been assessed and cleared, and never bury an exposed power line potentially damaged while digging.

Look All Around

Job site conditions can change quickly and without notice, so it is essential to always stay vigilant. Be on the lookout for transformer boxes, downed power lines, branches that might interfere with a power line and weather patterns (rain, extreme wind, etc.) that could threaten your safety. If you encounter any standing water, always ensure it has not been energized by a live power source. As noted above, maintaining a healthy buffer of at least 20 feet between you and any power lines at your worksite is extremely important. Call 911 and alert your local cooperative if you see an exposed power line.

Find additional safety information

Your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative has additional resources and information to promote electrical safety on the farm, at the job site and in your home. Visit www.yourcooppower.com or contact your local provider to learn more.