August 19, 2005—Electrocutions from unintentional contact with overhead power lines can be prevented through awareness of the hazard and proper precautions.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offers many resources to help employers, employees, volunteers, and others identify potential risks when working under and around power lines, and to help them work safely to avoid touching the lines with poles, ladders, or other objects that can conduct electricity.
Electrocutions from contact with overhead power lines result in 128 work-related fatalities on average per year.
NIOSH resources for preventing electrocutions from contact with overhead power lines include:
NIOSH ALERT: Preventing Electrocutions of Crane Operators and Crew Members Working Near Overhead Power Lines, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 95-108.
NIOSH ALERT: Preventing Falls and Electrocutions During Tree Trimming, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-106.
NIOSH ALERT: Preventing Electrocutions During Work with Scaffolds Near Overhead Power Lines, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 91-110.
NIOSH ALERT: Preventing Electrocutions of Workers Using Portable Metal Ladders Near Overhead Power Lines, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 89-110.
Additional resources from NIOSH include a Web topic page on preventing traumatic occupational deaths and injuries from electrical hazards and case reports from occupational electrical fatalities.
