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| Work Safely Around Overhead Power Lines |
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| Everyone’s resources have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can help prevent locate delays by pre-marking your proposed dig area in white and notifying 811 of your planned excavation with as much lead time as possible: up to 30 calendar days in Florida. To learn more about Tampa Electric’s response to COVID-19, click here. |
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| Roofing, installing rain gutters, painting exteriors, hanging/installing outdoor lights and other overhead activities can bring you dangerously close to energized lines. Follow these tips to protect yourself and your crew from potentially deadly electrical contact. |
| Order our complimentary worker safety kit on the Tampa Electric e-SMARTworkers website. |
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| Look Up and Look Out |
| Carefully examine your work site for overhead power lines, poles and guy wires before starting every job, and point them out to crew members. Make it a habit to check for power lines before raising ladders, tools or materials, and when erecting, moving or dismantling scaffolds. |
| Follow the 10-Foot Rule |
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Keep yourself and all tools, equipment and vehicles at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines carrying up to 50 kV. Greater voltages require greater distances. |
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Tampa Electric can help you confirm voltages and safe clearances. Contact us at 1-813-635-1500 at least three business days before you start working near power lines. |
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If you must work or position a scaffold closer than 10 feet from power lines, call Tampa Electric at least three business days in advance to make safety arrangements. |
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Carry all ladders, long-handled tools, gutters, siding and downspouts level with the ground. |
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Keep in mind that tools, equipment and materials can shift due to wind or unexpected events. Always maintain the minimum required clearance plus a buffer zone. |
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| In Case of Power Line Contact |
| If your equipment should contact an overhead power line or cause an overhead power line to fall, assume the power line is energized and take the following steps: |
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Have someone call 911 and Tampa Electric immediately at 1-877-588-1010.
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Remain on the equipment until Tampa Electric utility workers arrive and de-energize the line. |
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Warn others to stay away. Death or injury could result if someone on the ground makes contact with the equipment. |
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If you must leave the equipment because of fire or other danger, do NOT touch the equipment and the ground at the same time. Jump clear and land with your feet together. Shuffle away until you are clear of the area, keeping your feet close together and on the ground at all times. |
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Move equipment away from the line only if it is safe to do so. |
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Never touch or drive over downed power lines or anything they may be contacting. |
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| Would You Like to Know More? |
| Additional utility safety tips, case studies, instructional videos and instructional tools can all be found, at no charge to you, on Tampa Electric's e-SMARTworkers website. |
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