OSHA Electrical Hazards & Power Line Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under OSHA 1926.1408, who is responsible for notifying the utility company before crane work begins near overhead power lines?
- Only the crane operator
- The employer or controlling entity (Correct answer)
- The signal person
- The site safety officer
Correct answer: The employer or controlling entity
OSHA places the responsibility for contacting the utility owner/operator on the employer or controlling entity before crane operations begin near power lines.
Question 2: What is the purpose of an 'encroachment prevention plan' during crane operations near power lines?
- To document equipment maintenance schedules
- To establish procedures that prevent the crane from entering the power line danger zone (Correct answer)
- To outline emergency medical response steps
- To specify maximum load capacities near power lines
Correct answer: To establish procedures that prevent the crane from entering the power line danger zone
An encroachment prevention plan defines the methods, equipment, and procedures that will keep any part of the crane or load from entering the power line's minimum approach distance.
Question 3: Under what condition may a crane operate closer than standard OSHA minimum approach distances to overhead power lines?
- When the operator has more than 10 years of experience
- When the load weight is under 2,000 pounds
- When the utility owner deenergizes and visibly grounds the lines (Correct answer)
- When operations occur during daylight hours only
Correct answer: When the utility owner deenergizes and visibly grounds the lines
OSHA 1926.1408(d) permits reduced clearance only when the utility owner/operator has deenergized the power lines and visibly grounded them.
Question 4: What does 'equipotential zone' mean in the context of crane electrical safety?
- A zone where all electrical equipment is rated at the same voltage
- A protected area where all objects are at the same electrical potential, reducing shock risk (Correct answer)
- A zone where no electrical equipment is allowed
- An area designated for electrical testing only
Correct answer: A protected area where all objects are at the same electrical potential, reducing shock risk
An equipotential zone is created by bonding and grounding all conductive objects so they share the same electrical potential, preventing current flow through workers.
Question 5: Which of the following is NOT an acceptable primary safeguard against power line hazards during crane operations?
- Installing insulating sleeves on power lines
- Erecting physical insulating barriers
- Relying solely on a proximity warning device (Correct answer)
- Deenergizing and grounding the power lines
Correct answer: Relying solely on a proximity warning device
A proximity warning device alone is insufficient; OSHA requires it to be used in combination with other controls such as insulating barriers or deenergized lines.
Question 6: What should a signal person do immediately if a crane load begins to drift toward an overhead power line during a pick?
- Continue signaling to complete the lift as quickly as possible
- Immediately give the emergency stop signal (Correct answer)
- Signal to increase boom speed to pass by quickly
- Move toward the load to physically redirect it
Correct answer: Immediately give the emergency stop signal
At any sign of imminent encroachment on a power line, the signal person must immediately give the stop signal so all crane movement ceases.
Question 7: When a crane must operate within a power line's danger zone, OSHA requires that a dedicated spotter be assigned to watch for what?
- Load swing and rigging condition
- The crane's proximity to the energized power lines at all times (Correct answer)
- Ground crew positioning and foot traffic only
- Wind speed and weather changes
Correct answer: The crane's proximity to the energized power lines at all times
OSHA requires a dedicated spotter whose sole responsibility is monitoring the distance between the crane and energized power lines during all movements in the danger zone.
OSHA Electrical Hazards & Power Line Safety 2
Under OSHA 1926.1408, who is responsible for notifying the utility company before crane work begins near overhead power lines?