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| Are overhead power lines covered with insulation? NO! |
| Power lines are not insulated. Always consider them energized and dangerous. Any contact with overhead lines could cause serious injury to those working nearby. |
| Order our FREE worker safety kit on the National Grid e-SMARTworkers website. |
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| Don’t be fooled by the covering |
Most overhead power lines are made of copper or highly conductive aluminum with a steel core. Any apparent covering is weatherproofing, NOT insulation. If you look up at a utility pole or tower, you may not be able to identify which lines are communication cables and which are energized wires. You should assume that any wire on a utility pole or tower is energized and dangerous, and stay away. All downed wires should also be considered energized and dangerous. Stay far away from them as well, and call 911 immediately and then National Grid at our emergency number: |
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New York: 1‑800‑867‑5222 |
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Massachusetts: 1‑800‑465‑1212 |
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| Distance is your best protection |
| Keep yourself, your tools, and all equipment at least 10 feet away from the overhead power lines that are typically present in residential areas. As voltage increases, clearance distances also increase. For specific requirements, consult National Grid and osha.gov. If you must work closer than regulations allow, contact National Grid well in advance so that safety arrangements can be made: |
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New York: 1‑800‑867‑5222 |
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Massachusetts: 1‑800‑465‑1212 |
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| Would you like to know more? |
| Additional utility safety tips, case studies, instructional videos and educational tools can all be found, at no charge to you, on National Grid’s contractor safety website. |
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