Contractor safety basics
- Call 811 or your local one-call center before you dig. When digging, stay at least 18 inches from marked utilities. More information on Call 811 for contractors.
- 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.