Safety steps to take when operating an Elevated Work Platform near power lines.

Power lines overhead aren’t just annoying cables; they’re high-stakes hazards that can turn a routine lift into a life-changing moment. When an Elevated Work Platform (EWP) is in close proximity to those lines, safety isn’t something you add on later—it has to be built into the whole job from the start. Here’s how to think about it, with practical guidance you can actually use on the ground or up in the basket.

Let me explain the core idea first: near power lines, a full safety assessment is essential. It’s more than a checklist or a single precaution. It’s a comprehensive look at the work area, the equipment, the people involved, and the plans for how everyone stays safe. Sure, helmets and gloves matter, and yes, experience helps. But none of that replaces the need to map out the electrical hazards and lay out concrete controls before the first movement of the platform.

What does a full safety assessment include?

• Scan the scene like a detective

• Locate every power line in the vicinity. Don’t just rely on memory or a rough estimate. Verify locations with the site map, utility drawings if they’re available, and any recent work plans. Lines can sag, swing in windy weather, or bend around obstacles more than you’d expect.

• Define the danger zone

• Work out the safe working distance from the lines based on voltage and the equipment you’re using. This distance isn’t something you guess; it’s specified by standards and regulations. If anything changes—wind shifts, new equipment, or a different path—you reassess.

• Check the equipment with an electrician’s eye

• Inspect the EWP for any signs that could amplify risk: metal booms that could conduct electricity if they contact a line, hoses or cables that could snag, and control systems that must respond promptly. Ensure that non-conductive or insulated accessories are available where appropriate, and confirm that all electrical tests and inspections are up to date.

• Plan the controls and safeguards

• Decide how you’ll keep people and gear away from danger. This can include using a spotter system to track the clearance zone, implementing barriers or warning lines, and ensuring that tools and equipment weigh in within safe limits. If de-energizing a nearby line is possible and practical, that option should be explored and coordinated with the utility.

• Assign roles and rituals

• Identify who will operate the machine, who will watch the perimeter (the spotter), and who will communicate if something shifts. Clear signals matter when a line might move due to wind or machine movement. Everyone should know the plan, the emergency steps, and how to pause work if conditions worsen.

• Review weather and conditions

• A lightly whipping wind or rain can change the risk profile fast. If the line sway increases or the ground becomes unstable, you pause and re-evaluate. A safety assessment isn’t a one-and-done; it’s a live document you update as conditions shift.

• Confirm emergency readiness

• Have a response plan for electric shock, contact with a line, or a fall from height. Know where to reach in a hurry and who is responsible for shutting down equipment and stabilizing the scene.

What are the concrete controls that often emerge from a safety assessment?

• Maintain a safe distance

• This is the big one. The distance isn’t a guessing game; it’s defined by voltage, platform type, and equipment configuration. If you can’t maintain the required separation, you don’t proceed until conditions change.

• Use appropriate tools and PPE

• Insulated or dielectric-rated PPE and tools can help, but they don’t replace distance and planning. PPE adds a layer of protection, especially against incidental contact, but the core defenses are distance, barriers, and proper operation.

• Employ a dedicated spotter

• A spotter keeps a continuous eye on the lines while the operator focuses on the business at height. The spotter communicates changes in proximity, wind, or line movement and can halt work if the hazard grows.

• Verify communication plans

• Radios, hand signals, or a combination work best when everyone knows the plan and can act quickly. Miscommunication is a common source of near-misses, especially when a machine shifts or loads change.

• Control the work environment

• If feasible, isolate the work area, use barriers, and post clear warnings. Ensure other trades or vehicles stay out of the hazard zone. Lighting, visibility, and path planning all play a role in keeping the area safe.

Who should be involved in the process?

• The operator is central, but not alone

• The operator brings hands-on knowledge of the machine’s limits. They should work in concert with a supervisor who understands the electrical hazards and the site’s specific constraints.

• A trained spotter or guide

• The spotter’s job isn’t to tell the operator how to steer the platform; it’s to observe the surroundings and flag any risk that could bring the lines into contact.

• An electrical or safety professional

• When in doubt, bring in someone who specializes in electrical hazards. Their input helps tailor the safety controls to the exact voltage and configuration you’re dealing with.

• Ground crew readiness

• If lines are involved, there’s a higher chance that other crew members will be working nearby for a limited time. Day-to-day safety isn’t about one person’s vigilance alone; it’s a culture of looking out for one another.

Why is a full safety assessment more than a nice-to-have?

Because power lines aren’t predictable props you can work around with a quick glance. They’re energy in transit, and the consequence of a misstep can be severe—electric shock, arc flash, or a collapse of confidence in safety at a site. A well-done safety assessment creates a map of risks and a plan to neutralize them before any lift begins.

A quick aside on training and readiness

Training is essential, but it isn’t a silver bullet on its own. A worker might know the theory inside and out, yet if the job plan hasn’t identified how to keep lines at a safe distance or if the spotter role isn’t clearly defined, real danger remains. The best teams combine solid training with a live, practical assessment that reflects the actual site conditions. And yes, PPE matters—gloves, hard hat, high-visibility gear, and flame-resistant clothing all have their place. But PPE without a strong, up-front assessment can still leave people exposed to hazards.

Let’s connect the dots with a simple analogy

Think of approaching overhead lines like taking a photo with a long lens near a bright window. If you don’t account for the changing light, the wind in the trees, or the angle of the lens, the shot can go wrong fast. A full safety assessment is your site’s way of checking every variable before you press the shutter. It sets the frame, the focus, and the safe distances so the operation can happen smoothly and safely.

Common pitfalls to watch for

• Relying on memory instead of checking the actual line locations on site. Cables move, trees grow, and what you remember from yesterday isn’t reliable enough.

• Assuming distance guidelines from another job apply here. Every site, line, and voltage profile can be different, so tailor the assessment to the current conditions.

• Treating PPE as a substitute for safe distances. PPE adds protection, but it can’t replace the need to keep equipment and operators out of the electrical zone.

• Skipping the spotter role or not coordinating signals. If the ground team and the operator aren’t aligned, a momentary miscommunication can turn risky very quickly.

• Letting weather or wind slide without rechecking. A gust can change the line’s position or the basket’s trajectory more than you’d expect.

What a good safety mindset looks like in practice

• Start with the big question: is this work even safe to begin given the line positions and the day’s weather? If the answer isn’t clearly yes, pause.

• Keep the plan visible. Post the safety plan where everyone can see it, and use it as the living guide that you refer to and revise as conditions change.

• Practice calm, disciplined actions. When the wind picks up or a line looks different, the instinct should be to slow down, reassess, and communicate clearly.

• Learn from close calls. When something almost went wrong, capture the lesson and adjust the plan so it won’t happen again.

Bottom line

Operating an EWP near power lines demands more than skill; it requires a deliberate, thorough safety assessment that maps out hazards and puts strong controls in place. Distance, proper equipment, a vigilant spotter, clear communication, and a readiness to pause when conditions shift are the building blocks of a safer workday. It’s about respecting the electricity and planning every move with care, not rushing through a task just because the work needs to get done.

If you’re ever in doubt about any step, take a moment to pause, review the assessment, and bring in a colleague with electrical safety insight. When safety comes first, you protect not just the crew, but your own ability to stay on the job and do good work. And that’s a win for everyone on site.