Electrical Safety Authority Shares Tips to Help Avoid a Powerline Contact

Powerlines are dangerous, unforgiving and deadly. In Ontario, powerline contacts have risen over the last five years and are the leading cause of electrical fatalities. Sadly, there have been 1,400 incidents of powerline contacts in the last 10 years and 22 fatalities. This is too many.

With the arrival of spring, many have returned to outdoor tasks including yard work, cleaning eaves, washing windows, pruning trees and more. But when working outside, it’s important to watch out for overhead powerlines – an accidental contact could lead to severe injury, or even death.

The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) is responsible for keeping Ontarians safe from electrical harm and it promotes awareness, education and training of potential electrical safety risks. For Powerline Safety Week, which runs from May 12 to 18, ESA is reminding the public of the precautions needed when working around powerlines.

There are simple steps to reduce the risk of a powerline contact to keep you and your family safe:

1. Before starting any yard work or outdoor project, locate all nearby powerlines. Despite the serious threat powerlines pose, 27 per cent of Ontarians say they rarely or never look for overhead powerlines before starting outdoor chores. For underground powerlines, contact Ontario One Call. They will locate all utility-owned underground infrastructure in your yard. You may also require a “private locate” for underground infrastructure that is not utility-owned.

2. Always keep yourself and your tools at least three metres away—that’s the length of a 10-step ladder. You do not have to touch a powerline to get a shock. Electricity can jump or “arc” to you or your tools if you get too close.

3. When cleaning eaves, pruning trees or any other activity that involves ladders or long tools, always carry them horizontally to avoid getting too close to any overhead powerlines.

4. When planting new trees, make sure they are planted far enough away from the powerlines so even when they are full grown, they will not come too close. Plan ahead by choosing the right location to make sure what you plant does not grow to be within three metres of overhead powerlines, even at its tallest height.

5. Powerful storms and strong winds can lead to downed powerlines in your neighbourhood. If you see a downed powerline, always assume it is live and stay 10 metres back – about the length of a school bus. If there’s a downed powerline on your property, call 911 and report it to your local utility.

While spring is the perfect time to check outdoor chores off your list, no outdoor job is worth dying for.

To find more information to stay safe near powerlines, visit ESAsafe.com/StopLookLive.