What minimum clearance practices apply to working near overhead power lines?

• A. Maintain safe clearance per regulations, use a designated spotter, and de-energize or shield lines if possible; never contact lines.
• B. Wear insulated gloves and rely on line clearance.
• C. Allow the crane to operate within 1 meter of lines if the line is de-energized.
• D. Only use hand signals to communicate with the operator.

Answer: (A)

Clearance around overhead power lines is about preventing contact and electric arc during crane work. The safest approach is to follow the minimum safe distances specified by regulations for the line’s voltage, have a designated spotter to keep the operator aware of line position, and, whenever possible, de-energize or shield the lines to remove the hazard. Never allow the crane or load to contact a line.

Insulated gloves protect the worker but don’t control the crane’s path or eliminate the risk of contact or arcing; relying on gloves alone plus general clearance isn’t enough. Operating within a short distance even if a line is de-energized ignores the possibility of re-energization or induced voltages and fails to address site planning and movement controls. And using hand signals alone doesn’t provide the required supervisory control and boundary enforcement to keep the lines safely away.