emergency plan. • Electricity can travel through the ground. Be sure workers wear prop- erly insulated footwear and other required PPE. • Consider asking the utility company to de-energize nearby power lines. Follow safe work practices • Maintain a distance of at least 10 feet from overhead lines. • Do not rely on protective clothing alone to protect against electrical hazards • Ensure workers do not have direct contact with an energized conductor, such as a power line • Ensure there is no indirect contact with an energized conductor, such as a tree limb or tool touching a power line. • Ensure workers do not stand near grounding elements. Remember, power can travel through the ground. Provide the right gear • Workers must be provided with prop- er gloves and shoes. • When electrical hazards are present, employers must provide rope that is free of moisture and contaminants and that provides appropriate insula- tion. • Always provide fall protection for climbers. Be alert • Assume all lines are energized. • Anticipate when limbs might fall onto power sources. It only takes a moment for a fatality to occur. • Employers who are hired to clear trees from power lines must follow applicable OSHA requirements. See, for example, 29 CFR 1910.268, 29 CFR 1910.269, and 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S. For more information, visit osha.gov .
immediately call for emergency medi- cal assistance. Check for injuries Look for burns at points of contact or elsewhere and check for signs of cardiac arrest or neu- rological damage. There may be no vis- ible mark on the skin. Administer first aid Apply cool (not cold) water to affected areas and cover with a sterile, non-adhesive dressing. Continue CPR if needed until medical help arrives. Seek medical attention Get help im- mediately, even if the person’s injuries appear minor, as it can be difficult to determine internal damage. Stay with the person and continue to monitor un- til help arrives. AVOIDING TRAGEDY It is the employer’s responsibility to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules to keep workers safe. Here are a few guidelines to follow to ensure jobsite safety. Preparation is key • Train workers about potential haz- ards in a language they understand. • Before any work begins, survey the area for hazards. Be sure to have an
that allows it to discharge and dissi- pate electrical energy. This can be the ground itself or something connected to the ground, such as a metal rod or surface. In some cases, multiple exit points may be involved, depending on how the charge is distributed through- out the body. The severity of one’s injury can depend on the voltage involved, duration of exposure, and the current’s pathway through the body. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Proper training and education are es- sential to ensure workers know how to respond to a jobsite electrical injury. Consider the following safety guide- lines: Safety first Do not touch the injured person directly if they are still con- nected to the electrical source, as you may also be inadvertently shocked. Safely turn off the power source and use dry, non-conductive objects, such as a wooden stick, to separate the person from the electrical source, if needed. Assess their condition Check to see if they are responsive and breathing and determine how serious the injury is. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary and ask someone to
24 | ArborTIMES Spring 2024
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