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Contractor Safety

Name: Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO)
Address: Shreveport, LA, 71101, USA
Telephone: 888.216.3523

Hard Work done safely

Finishing projects on time and on budget is important to you, and so is finishing them safely. These tips will help reduce accidents and make your projects more successful:

If you have any questions about working around power facilities or you need a line de-energized, contact us at 1.888.216.3523 and we can help.

Staying safe on the job means knowing what's above you and what's below, and we want to protect your crews and the public from any electrical hazards. Our Contractor Safety site provides valuable information and tutorials on working safely around overhead power lines, what to know when digging near underground utilities, and even best practices for drone operation. Also, our training resources, case studies, and videos are all designed to keep your projects incident free while working around these potential electrical hazards.

Overhead Power Line Safe Distances

Look for hidden power lines when trimming or cutting trees.

If you're installing an antenna, be sure that the distance from the power line is at least 1.5 times its total height.

Make sure the amperage rating on an extension cord is greater than or equal to the tools you will be using.

Always lower your equipment before moving it when working near power facilities.

Keep yourself and your equipment at least 10 feet from anything energized.

Safety Tips

As contractors, you work with specialized tools and vehicles that could expose you to more risk of electrocution. We want you to be safe so here are a few tips that’ll help you get the job done safely.

Ladder Operation

Keep yourself, your ladder, tools and materials at least ten feet away from power lines.
Use a clean, dry wood or fiberglass ladder around electric lines.
Never use a metal ladder near power lines.
Never assume lines have been de-energized.

Dump Truck Operation

Be aware of where the power lines are on a work site.
Maintain a safe distance when the bed of a dump truck is raised.
Have a spotter if you’re raising your truck bed around power lines.
Put the bed down before you move.

Crane Operation

Know the minimum distance the crane can operate safely near a power line.
Keep all parts of the crane and load outside of this area unless the line has been de-energized and grounded by the power company.
Prevent the crane's boom from weaving or bobbing near or into power lines.
Designate a worker to be responsible for signaling the crane operator when any part of the crane or its load approaches the safe distance limit.
Do not rely on proximity warning devices, hook insulators, insulating boom guards or cages, swing limit stops, ground rods, or other similar devices.
Don't allow anyone to touch a crane operating near a power line. The crane and worker could become part of the path to ground.
Avoid using tag lines except when it is possible for the load to spin into the power line. If you need a tag line, use dry polypropylene, which is less conductive than most other types of rope.
Slow down the operating cycle by reducing the hoisting, booming, swinging, and traveling speed.
Remember that clearance distances increase as the line span (distance between poles or towers) increases; longer spans have greater sway in the wind or when contacted.

Vehicle Contact with Energized Line

Prevent others from coming in contact with the vehicle. They can become part of the path to the ground.
Jump clear of the vehicle.
Never jump while touching the vehicle and the ground at the same time.
Jump with your feet together landing on both feet.
Shuffle away from the vehicle keeping your feet touching.

Injuries

Don't try to help if they are still in contact with electricity.
Seek professional help immediately.

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Contractor Safety

Hard Work done safely

Safety Tips

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