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| Work Safely Around Overhead Power Lines |
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| Roofing and other overhead activities can bring you dangerously close to energized lines. Here are some safety tips to help protect yourself and your crew from potentially deadly electrical contact. |
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| Look Up and Look Out |
| Before starting any overhead job, take a moment to inspect your work area thoroughly. Check for utility infrastructure components, such as power lines, poles and guy wires. Point them out to crew members. Always check for power lines before raising ladders, tools or materials. The same applies when erecting, moving or dismantling scaffolds. |
| Follow the 10-Foot Rule |
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Keep yourself, all tools, equipment and vehicles at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines carrying up to 50 kV. Greater voltages require greater distances. |
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Before work begins, call Duke Energy to verify voltages and consult osha.gov to determine the minimum required safety clearance distances: |
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Duke Energy Carolinas: 800.777.9898 |
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Duke Energy Florida: 800.700.8744 |
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Duke Energy Indiana: 800.521.2232 |
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Duke Energy Kentucky/Ohio: 800.544.6900 |
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Duke Energy Progress: 800.452.2777 |
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If you must work closer to power lines than the mandated distance, call Duke Energy well in advance to make safety arrangements. |
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Carry all ladders, long-handled tools, gutters, siding and downspouts level with the ground. |
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Keep in mind that tools, equipment and materials can shift due to wind or unexpected events. Always maintain the minimum required clearance plus a buffer zone. |
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| In Case of Power Line Contact |
| If your equipment comes into contact with an overhead power line or causes an overhead power line to fall, assume the power line is energized and take the following steps: |
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Do NOT touch or move the line or anything it is touching. Keep the public far away. |
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Call 911 and Duke Energy in your state immediately at the emergency numbers listed below. Do NOT resume work until utility representatives tell you it is safe. |
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Duke Energy Carolinas: 800.769.3766 |
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Duke Energy Florida: 800.228.8485 |
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Duke Energy Indiana: 800.343.3525 |
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Duke Energy Kentucky/Ohio: 800.543.5599 |
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Duke Energy Progress: 800.419.6356 |
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If the line should fall onto a truck or other equipment, don’t panic. Warn everyone, including other workers, to stay far away from the vehicle as well as the power line. Anyone inside or on the vehicle should stay where they are until instructed otherwise by Duke Energy or emergency officials. |
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Always remember to stay at least 30 feet away from a fallen distribution line and at least 100 feet away from a fallen transmission line. |
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| Would You Like to Know More? |
| Additional utility safety tips, case studies, instructional videos and educational tools can all be found, at no charge to you, on Duke Energy's Worker Beware website. |
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