If you’re working on a project that involves cranes, dump trucks, boom trucks, ladder trucks, bucket trucks, scaffolds, ladders or antennas, you'll likely be working close to overhead powerlines. Contact with a live powerline can cause severe injuries, and in some cases, death.
Whether you’re the property owner or a contractor, it’s your responsibility to ensure everyone on the jobsite is aware of electrical hazards and knows how to stay safe around them.
Before starting a project, you must do the following:
- De-energize powerlines
- Contact us at 416-542-8000 (press 4) to request your powerlines be de-energized, relocated or removed.
- Have a signal person
- A signal person must be on hand to assist the operator whenever power equipment (cranes, hoisting devices, backhoes, power shovels) is working near overhead powerlines.
- Post warning signs
- Warning signs must be posted and fully visible to all equipment operators. They should be located close to the hazard, as well as at the operator’s station. Contractors/property owners also need to provide the contractors with written notices of all hazards present on the jobsite.
- Keep transformers unobstructed
- Don't build or plant anything within three metres (10 feet) of transformers. In case of an emergency, crews should be able to access transformers quickly and safely.