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| Overhead and Underground Safety Practices |
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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 is possible: up to 10 days in Pennsylvania. To learn more about Duquesne Light Company’s response to COVID-19, click here. |
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| Review these tips with coworkers at your tailgate or toolbox meetings before work begins to help avoid potential hazards when working near overhead and underground power lines. |
Order our complimentary worker safety training kit on the Duquesne Light's
e-SMARTworkers website. |
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| Look Up and Live |
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Carefully examine the site for overhead power lines, pole and guy wires,
and point them out to coworkers. Take extra care to look for lines that may be
masked by foliage or otherwise blocked from view. |
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Consider all overhead power lines to be energized and potentially
dangerous, including the service lines that run from utility poles to buildings. |
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Mark a safety boundary to keep workers, tools and equipment a safe distance
away—at least 10 feet—from power lines. As voltage increases, clearance
distances also increase. Call Duquesne Light Company at 412-393-7100 for specific safety clearance
requirements. |
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When cranes and derricks are used in construction: Keep the crane boom and load at least 22 feet away from lines up to 350 kV and 50 feet away from lines greater than 350 kV but at or less than 1,000 kV. |
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Designate a spotter whose only job is to watch your equipment and make sure
you maintain the mandatory safety clearances. |
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| Dig Safely |
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Notify 811 before you dig or move earth in any way—even for small jobs. This service will arrange to have underground utility lines marked so you can dig a safe distance away from them. |
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Dial 811 or use the online ticket-entry system at www.pa1call.org. Then wait the required time for facility owners to mark their lines: |
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In Pennsylvania, wait at least two full business days, excluding the date you notify 811, weekends and holidays. |
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Pre-mark your proposed excavation area with white paint, flags and/or stakes before you contact 811. |
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Respect the “tolerance zone,” a safety area that spans the width of a marked utility, plus 18 inches from each indicated outside edge. If your excavation encroaches within this zone, contact Duquesne Light Company and we'll send a representative out to your job site. |
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Respect the marks, hand expose to verify location and dig with care. |
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If you don't notify 811, you risk hitting an underground power line. You or your coworkers could be hurt or killed. You may be held liable for damages and repair costs. |
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| Always contact your state 811 center before digging and for the most current requirements. |
| Distance Is Your Best Protection |
| Keep yourself, your tools and all equipment at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines carrying 50 kV or less. Higher-voltage lines require greater working distances. Contact Duquesne Light at 412-393-7100 to confirm power line voltages and distance requirements for your job site. |
| Would You Like to Know More? |
| Additional utility personnel safety tips, case studies, instructional videos and training tools can all be found, at no charge to you, on Duquesne Light Company's e-SMARTworkers website. |
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