Which safety considerations apply when working near power lines?

• A. Disregard clearance distances to speed up operations.
• B. Wear non-conductive gloves instead of following clearance rules.
• C. Maintain clearance distances, use a dedicated spotter, and de-energize lines if possible; follow regulatory requirements.
• D. Only de-energize the lines if the crane is directly under them.

Answer: (C)

When working near power lines, the main focus is to prevent any contact or arcing by controlling the crane’s position and the work area. The safest approach is to maintain the required clearance distances at all times, have a dedicated spotter to watch for encroachment and to communicate with the operator, and, if possible, have the lines de-energized or isolated for the duration of the lift. This combination, backed by regulatory requirements, dramatically reduces the risk of electrocution and arc flash, since even a close brush with a live line can be deadly and PPE alone cannot compensate for unsafe clearances or energized equipment. Disregarding clearance distances is unsafe, wearing non-conductive gloves does not replace the need to follow clearance rules, and de-energizing only when the crane is under the lines is not the proper approach—de-energize whenever feasible, regardless of the crane’s position, to remove the hazard entirely.