Part 17 Overhead Power Lines


Safe limit of approach distance
225(1) Before work is done or equipment is operated within 7 metres of an overhead power line, an employer must
(a) determine the voltage of the power line, and
(b) establish the appropriate safe limit of approach distance listed in Schedule 4.
225(2) Except as provided for in subsection (3), an employer must ensure that the safe limit of
approach distance, as established in subsection (1), is maintained and that no work is done and no equipment is operated at a distance less than the established safe limit of approach distance.
225(3) Before work is done or equipment is operated in the vicinity of an overhead power line at a distance less than the established safe limit of approach distance listed in Schedule 4, an employer must notify the operator of the electric utility, the rural electrification association or the industrial power producer who operates the overhead power line and obtain the operator’s assistance in protecting workers involved.
225(4) An employer must ensure that earth or other materials are not placed under or beside an
overhead power line if doing so reduces the safe clearance to less than the established safe limit of approach distance listed in Schedule 4.
225(5) A worker must maintain safe clearance of not less than the established safe limit of approach distance listed in Schedule 4 when working in the vicinity of an overhead power line.

Transported loads, equipment and buildings
226 The safe limit of approach distances listed in Schedule 4 do not apply to a load, equipment or
building that is transported under overhead power lines if the total height, including equipment
transporting it, is less than 4.15 metres.

Utility worker exemption
227 Section 225 does not apply to utility workers working in accordance with the requirements of CAN/ULC-S801-14, Standard on Electric Utility Workplace Electrical Safety for Generation,
Transmission, and Distribution.