Contractor Safety
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It's important to know the risks of working around overhead power lines and natural gas pipelines and how to avoid getting injured from accidental contact. The most obvious and unfortunate cost of accidental contact with power lines or gas mains is injury or death. Contact with utility equipment can also increase insurance premiums and workers' compensation payments, and can damage equipment. |
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Download Alliant Energy's Contractor Safety Handbook [PDF] entitled Power Line Safety Essentials for Contractors. This video provides information on the hazards of working near electric power lines on a job site. You'll learn why it is extremely important to avoid contact with utility equipment and the steps you must take before work begins. You'll also find out what to do if equipment or a co-worker contacts a power line. Alliant Energy's electric and gas service manuals are also available online: |
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Contactor safety basics:
On the job:
- Call your local one-call center before you dig. When digging, stay at least 18 inches (24 inches in Minnesota) from marked utilities.
- Keep vehicles, equipment and people at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.
In an electrical emergency:
- If your equipment contacts a line, stay on the equipment and call 911.
- If a co-worker contacts a line, do not touch the injured person. Call 911.
- If you must get off your equipment, jump and land with both feet — do not touch the vehicle and ground at the same time. Shuffle away from the area.
In a natural gas emergency:
- Shut off all equipment.
- Remove ignition source and do NOT use electrical devices that may create a spark.
- Evacuate the area.
- Call 911 from a safe distance upwind.