L I V I N G A N D W O R K I N G S A F E L Y

A R O U N D H I G H - V O L T A G E P O W E R

L I N E S

If you have questionsabout safe practices neartransmission lines, callthe nearest BPA officelisted below.

Due to safety considerationsmany of the practices suggested inthis booklet are restrictive. This isbecause they attempt to cover allpossible situations, and the worstconditions are assumed.Oftentimes, the restrictions can betempered. To determine whatpractices are applicable to yourcase, contact BPA.

SNOHOMISH REGION914 Avenue DSnohomish, WA 98290(360) 568-4962

OLYMPIA REGION5240 Trosper St. S.W.Olympia, WA 98512-5623(360) 704-1600

EUGENE REGION86000 Hwy. 99 S.Eugene, OR 97405(541) 465-6991

REDMOND REGION3655 W. Highway 126Redmond, OR 97756(541) 548-4015

WALLA WALLA REGION6 West Rose, Suite 400Walla Walla, WA 99362(509) 527-6238

SPOKANE REGION2410 E. Hawthorne Rd.Spokane, WA 99021(509) 358-7376

IDAHO FALLS REGION1527 Hollipark Dr.Idaho Falls, ID 83401(208) 524-8770

Using the Easement

Before a transmission line isbuilt, BPA negotiates with thelandowner for the right to crossthe land as required for theconstruction, operation andmaintenance of the line. Usually,BPA acquires easement rights toconstruct, operate and maintain atransmission line and the right tokeep the easement clear of allstructures, trees, brush, firehazards and any other vegetationthat may interfere with theoperation or maintenance of theline. Almost all farm crops can begrown safely under transmissionlines. Crops grown on trellisesrequire special consideration. CallBPA before installing trellises.

Call the nearest BPA trans-mission office if you plan to usethe right-of-way for any use otherthan growing crops.

Ask for the “Landowner’s Guideto Use of BPA Rights-of-Way,” whichexplains how to apply for

permission to use a portion of aBPA right-of-way and easementsfor approved purposes.

Construction and mainten-ance of homes, sheds, machinerybuildings or any other structures,are specifically prohibited withina right-of-way.

These arrangements alsoserve to eliminate possiblehazards.

General Safe Practices

BPA designs and maintains itsfacilities to meet or exceed therules set forth in the NationalElectrical Safety Code. BPAprovides information on safepractices because serious acci-dents involving transmission linescan be avoided if simple pre-cautions are taken. Every kind ofelectrical installation — from the110-volt wiring in your home to a500,000-volt transmission line —must be treated with respect.

The most significant risk ofinjury from a transmission line isthe danger of electrical contact.Electrical contact between anobject on the ground and anenergized conductor can occureven though the two do notactually touch. In the case of high-voltage lines, electricity will arcacross an air gap. The distance

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varies with the voltage at whichthe line is operated. Unlike thewiring at home, the conductors ofoverhead transmission lines arenot enclosed by an electricalinsulating material.

Injuries are more likely toresult with lower voltage powerlines (12,500 to 115,000 volts) thanwith higher voltage lines becausecontact is more likely. Theelectrical conductors of lowervoltage lines are closer to theground, smaller and lessnoticeable. An injury from contactwith a 12,500-volt line can be justas serious as that from a 500,000-volt line.

The most important safepractice is this:

Avoid bringing yourself,or any object you areholding, too close to anoverhead line.

In other words, do not lift,elevate, build or pass under atransmission line any object,implement, facility or vehicle thatcould become near the energizedconductors.

BPA does not recommend thatanyone attempt to calculate howclose they can come to a trans-mission line. As a generalprecaution when under a line,

never put yourself or any objectany higher than 14 feet above theground.

The National Electrical SafetyCode specifies a minimum safeclearance for each operatingvoltage. BPA builds its lines so thatthe clearance between theconductors of a line and theground meets or exceeds theminimum set forth in the code.

The minimum clearance toground usually occurs midwaybetween towers because theconductors sag. The clearance isusually greatest near the towers orpoles.

Vehicles and large equipmentup to 14 feet in height, such asharvesting combines, cranes,derricks and booms, can beoperated safely under all BPAlines that pass over roads, drive-ways, parking lots, cultivatedfields or grazing lands. Theoperators of equipment that canbe extended, such as bale wagons,stack movers or cranes, shouldexercise extreme care when near apower line.

The 14 feet limitation is ageneral standard applicable in theworst possible situations. In someinstances, it can be exceededwithout any problems. However,care must be taken sincetransmission lines sag, or droop,

when they become heated.Having passed safely beneath aline in December with a piece ofequipment higher than 14 feetdoes not automatically mean youcan do so in July.

Instead of enumerating everysituation or exception, we suggest,again, that you contact the nearestBPA transmission office or yourlocal utility, if you need to exceedthe 14-feet limitation.

Induced Voltages

Under certain conditions, aperceptible electrostatic voltage canbe induced on such objects as alarge vehicle, a fence, metalbuilding or irrigation system. Thiscan happen when the object is neara high-voltage transmission lineand is insulated from the ground.

When an induced voltage ispresent, touching a vehicle, wirefence, metal building or irrigationsystem can result in a sensationsimilar to the shock you mayreceive when you cross a carpetand then touch a door-knob. Thestatic discharge from the rug ismomentary. The sensation from avoltage induced by an alternating-current power line is similar, butmay continue to be felt as long ascontact with the object ismaintained.

Farm equipment or open large machinery 14 feet or less in height may be operated safely under all BPA lines in cultivated fields.

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The magnitude of an inducedvoltage depends on the voltage ofthe transmission line, distancefrom the conductor, size or lengthof the object, and its orientation tothe line. Shocks caused by aninduced voltage do not usuallypresent a hazard; for this reasonwe refer to them as nuisanceshocks. However, mitigationmethods to remove the possibilityof hazards are identified insections of the booklet that follow.

Irrigation Systems

All types of irrigation systemshave been operated safely nearBPA power lines for years.Nonetheless, caution should beused in storing, handling, andinstalling irrigation pipe, and inoperating spray irrigation systemsnear power lines.

Irrigation pipe should bemoved in a horizontalposition under and nearall power lines to keep itaway from conductorsoverhead.

Again, we stress that the onecritical hazard from overheadlines is the danger of bringing anobject — in this case, a length ofirrigation pipe — into closeproximity to a conductor. Onepurpose of this booklet is torepeatedly make this warning.

As a precautionary measure,equipment used to installirrigation systems should be keptaway from transmission lines. Ifyou wish to, contact one of BPA’stransmission offices about yourparticular situation. If you areworking near a line, it is wise tosupplement normal precautionsby assigning one person to act as a“safety watcher.” This personsimply stands by, watches, andwarns the other workers againstunsafe moves.

Great caution should be usedwhen moving a high-pressureirrigation system under atransmission line. The small

Irrigation pipe should be moved in a horizontal position under and near all powerlines to keep it away from the conductors overhead.

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wheel bases of some of thesesystems tend to make themunstable. If one should tip whileunder a line, its boom could belifted into a conductor.

You may notice somenuisance shocks when unloadingirrigation pipe near a transmissionline. It can be reduced greatly oreliminated entirely by unloadingthe pipe at least 50 feet away fromthe line. This also tends to reducethe risk that the pipe will get tooclose to the conductors. Even ifpipe stacked on a rubber-tiredvehicle is unloaded under atransmission line, the possibilityof nuisance shocks can beeliminated by grounding. Thegrounding is done by clipping oneend of a wire to a metal rod driveninto the ground and the other endto a pipe on the bottom of thestack.

All types of irrigation systems,including center pivot systems,can be operated safely near or ona right-of-way. However, irrigatorsshould avoid situations where asolid stream of water can come incontact with a conductor, even ifthe possibility is remote. Shouldthis occur, a person in contact

with the irrigation system, orstanding very near it, say 5 feet orso, may receive a severe shock.When asked, BPA will provideassistance as to the properinstallation or operation of anirrigation system to avoidhazardous situations.

If a sprinkler malfunctions

and a solid stream of waterreaches a conductor, turn off thewater at its source — by switchingoff the pump — before attemptingto correct the problem.

All nozzle risers in the vicinityof a transmission line should beequipped with spoilers orautomatic shutoffs. This will

Irrigation around BPA lines is safe when proper precautions are taken on therights-of-way.

The possibility of nuisance shocks can be eliminated by grounding metal pipe when unloading near BPA lines.

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Ground Wire

Ground Rod

Ground Wire --->

Ground Rod --->

prevent a solid stream fromstriking a conductor if a nozzlebreaks or falls off.

Equipment with smallerdiameter or fine mist spraynozzles do not usually present aproblem. Ordinarily, a brokenspray will not conduct asignificant amount of current.However, spray containingfertilizer is much moreconductive. Therefore, additionalprecautions should be taken toavoid spraying water withfertilizer into contact withtransmission line conductors.

High-volume irrigationsystems which use large nozzlesand high pressure to sprinkle bigareas are of special concern.Nozzle diameters vary from3/4 inch to 1-15/16 inches andwater pressures range from 80 to100 psi. Thus, a solid streamdischarged from one of thesenozzles may reach heights of 30 to35 feet and go as far as 200 feet.When such a system is inoperation, a safe distance must bekept between it and a trans-mission line. If requested, BPAwill gladly help you determinewhat a safe distance is for yourequipment. Contact the nearestBPA office, listed on page 1, if youwant help.

Nuisance shocks may beexperienced when touchingmobile pipe-type and wheel-typeirrigation systems located neartransmission lines. These shockscan occur when soil conditionsare dry and there is a long sectionof irrigation pipe parallel to andwithin 50 feet of the transmissionline centerline. Simple groundingprocedures can prevent nuisanceshocks on these types of systems.Contact BPA for assistance orinformation about your particularsituation.

Central pivot circularirrigation systems installed nearor under transmission lines candevelop hazardous shockpotentials during operation andmaintenance. To eliminate thesehazards:

• Provide a good electricalground for the pivot point.

• Do not touch the sprinklerpipe or its supportingstructures when the systemis operating under orparallel to and near atransmission line.

• Perform repairs/main-tenance of the system withthe sprinkler pipe perpen-dicular to the transmissionline.

BPA has prepared a guidelinefor the installation and operationof irrigation systems near high-voltage transmission lines. A copywill be provided when you contactBPA for approval and assistance insafely locating, operating andmaintaining irrigation systemsnear trans-mission lines.

Underground Pipes,Telephone Cables andElectric Cables

Underground pipes and cablesare compatible with transmissionlines providing installation and

maintenance are properly done.However, they should be installedat an angle of 60 degrees or moreto the transmission line centerline(a perpendicular crossing is best).Normally, pipes and cables shouldnot be installed closer than50 feet to a BPA structure or theburied grounding system. Thesesystems are long buried wires thatare sometimes attached to thestructures and can run up to300 feet along the right-of-way.Since these grounding systems arenot visible above ground theymust be located by BPA. ContactBPA before installing any pipe orcable which crosses a BPAtransmission line right-of-way.

Proper orientation of the linewith respect to undergroundpipes, telephone cables andelectric cables is required toprevent an accident in an extremecase when a fault on the trans-mission line might cause electri-city to arc from the conductor tothe tower and go to ground. Thiscould produce a dangerous voltageon an underground piping orcable system.

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Install metal fence posts on each side ofall gate openings.

Wire Fences

Barbed wire and woven wirefences insulated from ground onwood posts can assume an electro-static voltage when located neartransmission lines. Normally, thevoltage will not be noticeable. Ifyou are having a problem, callBPA for an investigation. Thefence may need to be groundedif it:

• crosses the right-of-way;• parallels the line within

125 feet of the outsideconductor and islonger than 150 feet; or

• parallels the line 125 to250 feet from the conductorand is longer than6,000 feet.

These fences should begrounded at each end and every200 feet with a metal post drivenat least 2 feet into the ground.Attach all wire strands of thefence to the metal post. Install thegrounding posts at least 50 feetfrom the nearest transmissiontower. If nuisance shocks areexperienced when contacting afence or gate, or if you have anyquestions about the need forgrounding, call BPA.

Electric Fences

In certain situations, BPAprovides electric filters to ground60-Hz voltages induced by a powerline. These filters will allow thecharging voltage on the fence tobe effective. BPA provides thesefilters if the electric fence:

• crosses the right-of-way;• parallels the line within

60 feet of the outsideconductor and islonger than 1,000 feet; or

• parallels the line within125 feet of the outsideconductor and islonger than 2,500 feet.

Do not use fence chargers thatare not approved by Underwriters’Laboratories, Inc. They may carryvoltages and currents that arehazardous to anyone touching the

fence — even if transmission linesare not present. For more infor-mation about fences, fencechargers or filters, call the nearestBPA transmission office.

Buildings

This section applies tobuildings outside BPA’s rights-of-way, since BPA prohibits buildingswithin a right-of-way.

Metal buildings are buildingswhose frame, roof or walls consistof substantial amounts of metal. Avoltage induced on a metalbuilding is usually drained awaythrough the building’s plumbing,electrical service, metal sheetingor metal frame. Nonetheless, BPA’spresent practice is to ground anymetal building near a 500,000-voltline when:

• it is within 100 feet of theoutside conductor;

• it has more than 2,000square feet of metal surfaceand is within 100 to 150square feet of the outsideconductor; or

• it is used to store flammablematerials and is within250 feet of the outsideconductor.

One grounding rod isadequate for a building with lessthan 2,000 square feet of metalsurface. Two grounding rods areused if a building’s metal surfaceexceeds 2,000 square feet. Even ifthe metal surface is less than2,000 square feet, an extragrounding rod is useful in caseone is damaged or develops ahigh-resistance contact.

Aluminum windows, down-spouts, gutters or other metalparts on buildings constructed ofwood or other insulating materialsmay also require gounding asshown above.

Again, call BPA if you haveany questions about grounding abuilding.

Vehicles

Under some high-voltagelines, vehicles can carry anuisance shock. This is partic-ularly true if the vehicle is parkedon a nonconductive surface suchas dry rock. You can drain theshock from your vehicle to theground by attaching a chain thatreaches the ground to the vehicleor by leaning a metal bar againstyour vehicle. The only way to besure you won’t get shocked is topark your car away from thepower line.

Theoretically, it is possiblethat an electric spark from aninduced voltage could ignite agasoline vapor that is createdduring refueling of a vehicle. Inpractice, the chances for all theright conditions to exist at thesame time for such an accidentare remote. BPA has never had areport of a refueling accident nearour lines.

However, because such anaccident is theoretically possible,BPA recommends that you notrefuel your vehicle in closeproximity to a transmission line.

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Example of grounding a metal buildingat a down spout.

Lightning

Lightning will usually strikethe highest nearby object. In ruralareas, this may be a power linetower or conductor. Transmissionfacilities are designed to withstandlightning strikes by channelingthem to ground at the tower.When lightning strikes a tower,the damage is usually much lessthan if a barn or tree had been hit.

Play it safe. Stay away frompower lines and other tall objectsduring electrical storms. Lightningis dangerous if you are standingnear where it enters the ground.

Fires

Smoke and hot gases from alarge fire can create a conductivepath for electricity. When a fire isburning under a transmission line,electricity could arc from theconductor to the ground, endan-gering people and objects near thearc.

Field burning and other largefires in and around transmissionlines can damage transmissionlines and cause power outages.Water and other chemicals used toextinguish those fires shouldnever be directed toward a trans-mission line.

Kite Flying andModel Airplanes

BPA discourages anyone fromflying a kite or model airplaneanywhere near a power line.However, if your kite or modelairplane is about to touch a powerline, drop the string or handlineinstantly, before it touches theline. Do not try to pull the kite orairplane down or climb up after it.Call the nearest electric utility.

Vandalismand Shooting

When hunting in remoteareas, do not shoot at transmissionlines.

Insulators are, for the mostpart, made of porcelain or glassand are easily broken. Not onlycan broken insulators causeflashovers, an insulator string hitby gunfire could pull apart and letthe conductor fall to the ground.This could be a serious hazard toanyone close to the line. It couldalso cause a power outage andpossible a fire in dry areas.

Unfortunately, most insulatordamage from gunfire is the resultof simple vandalism.

Hunters sometimes assumethat the land under a transmissionline belongs to the federalgovernment and is thereforepublic property. This is rarely thecase. Most land beneath powerlines — except in national forestsor on Bureau of Land Manage-ment lands — is privately owned.

Those who cause willfuldamage to BPA transmissionfacilities or property alongeasements can be prosecuted bythe federal government, theproperty owner, or both.

Remember, insulators andconductors are not fair game. Donot use them for target practice.To do so is illegal and can beextremely hazardous.

Please report brokeninsulators and conductors, or anyother damage you see, to BPA’sCrime Witness program by calling1-800-437-2744. Crime Witnessallows you to report, confiden-tially, an illegal activity that youwitness against BPA’s transmissionsystem, property or personnel.This includes:

• Shooting at power lines,transmission towers orsubstation equipment.

• Dumping of any waste ormaterial on BPA property.

• Vandalism to BPA property,buildings and vehicles.

• Theft of BPA equipment,supplies, tools or materials.

The program offers rewards ofup to $1,000 for informationleading to the arrest and con-viction of the persons causing thedamage.

Metal Objects

As a precautionary practice,do not raise any metal object morethan 14 feet in the air underneatha transmission line.

When you mount an antennaon a large vehicle that you plan tooperate on a BPA easement, do notlet it extend more than 14 feetabove the ground.

Before you sail a boat on alake or river, check the allowableclearance under any transmissionline. We recommend that all mastsor guy wires above the deck beconnected electrically to anunderwater metallic part such asthe keel or centerboard. Thisprecaution, which protects againstlightning or accidental contactwith a power line, may save yourlife.

Swimming pool skimmersshould not be raised verticallyunder any power line. BPAstrongly discourages the buildingof swimming pools within BPAeasements because of thepossibility of an accident.

Climbing

Climbing on power line poles,towers or guy wires can beextremely hazardous. Don’t do itunder any circumstance.

Pacemakers

Under some circumstances,voltages and currents from powerlines, and household and otherelectrical devices may interferewith the operation of someimplanted cardiac pacemakers.However, we know of no casewhere a BPA line has harmed apacemaker patient.

As a precaution, persons whomay have reason to be very nearhigh-voltage facilities shouldconsult with a physician todetermine whether theirparticular implant may besusceptible to 60-Hz interference.

If a person with a pacemakeris in an electrical environment

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and the pacemaker begins toproduce a regularly spaced pulsethat is not related to a normalheartbeat, the person should leavethe environment and consult aphysician.

Trees and Logging

No logging or tree cuttingshould be done within BPA’seasement without first contactingthe nearest BPA transmissionoffice. In many cases BPA ownsthe timber within its easements.Additionally, logging neartransmission lines can be veryhazardous and and requiresspecial caution. Since treesconduct electricity, if one shouldfall into or close to a line, thecurrent could follow the treetrunk to the ground and endangeranyone standing near its base.Here are two simple rules: If youshould come upon a tree whichhas fallen into a power line, stayaway from it. If you shouldaccidentally cause a tree to fallinto a line, run for your life! Donot go back to retrieve your sawor equipment. Call BPA or yourlocal utility immediately.

We suggest if you have treeseither on or close to the easementwhich need to be cut and couldfall on or close to a transmissionline, that you contact BPA. It maybe safer to have BPA remove thetrees than to do it yourself.

Since transmission line rights-of-way are usually not owned byBPA, but are acquired througheasements from landowners, treesor logs stacked within or alongsidethem are not public property.People removing trees and logswithout permission are stealingand can be prosecuted.

In addition, there are specialconsiderations for growingChristmas trees, orchards andother tall-growing vegetation. Askfor the “Landowner’s Guide to Treesand Transmission Lines” and the“Landowners Guide to Use of BPARights-of-Way.”

Explosives

If you plan to detonateexplosives near a BPA trans-mission line, notify BPA well inadvance. See the list at the frontof this booklet for the address andtelephone number of the BPAoffice nearest you. BPA will tellyou if any special precautionarymeasures must be taken at aparticular blasting site.

As a general rule, do not useelectric detonating devices whenblasting within 1,000 feet of apower line. Nonelectric methodsof detonation will avoid the

danger of accidentally dischargingan electric blasting cap.

If you are blasting within1,000 feet of a power line andthere is no reasonable alternativeto the use of an electronicdetonating device, you must clearthe layout of the electricdetonation circuit with BPA.

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Cutting trees within power line rights-of-way can be dangerous. It may be safer to haveBPA do it for you.

Concerning Towersand Conductors

• Do not climb towers.• Do not shoot or otherwise

damage insulators.• Never touch a fallen line.• Do not attempt to

dismantal tower steelmembers.

• Do not apply additionalloads to tower members fortemporary support of astructure or vehicle.

• Stay away from towers andlines during extreme windstorms, thunder storms, icestorms or under otherextreme conditions.

Preventive measures include:• Stay away from and report

broken or damagedinsulators to BPA or yournearest electrical utility.

• Stay away from and reportbroken, damaged orabnormally low-hanginglines to BPA or your nearestelectrical utility.

Conclusion

We live in an age of electricpower. Almost everything we dorequires it. Consequently, high-voltage power lines have becomeabout as commonplace as thewiring in our homes — and just assafe. Nevertheless, every yearpeople are killed or seriouslyinjured by power lines and wiring.In almost every case, lives couldhave been saved and injuriesavoided if the basic safetypractices outlined in this booklethad been followed. BPA and yourlocal utilities make every effort todesign and build power lines thatare safe to live and work around.Ultimately, however, the safety ofhigh-voltage lines depends uponpeople behaving safely aroundthem. No line can practicably bemade safe from a person who,through ignorance or foolishness,violates the basic principles ofsafety. So, please, take time nowto learn the practices outlined inthis booklet. And share yourknowledge with your family,friends and colleagues. Your ownlife, or that of a loved one, mightwell hang in the balance.

Related BPAPublications

Call BPA’s Public Informationcenter at 1-800-622-4520 and askfor the following publications:

1) For information on usingthe land within a BPA right-of-way: “Landowner’s Guide to Use ofBPA Rights-of-Way” (DOE/BP-3025)

2) For information on growingtrees on a BPA right-of-way:“Landowner’s Guide to Trees andTransmission Lines” (DOE/BP-3076)

3) For information on BPA’sDanger Tree Program: “Keeping theWay Clear for Better Service”(DOE/BP-2816)

NEVERclimb towers or poles.

Dear Neighbor,

BPA, along with your local electric utility, is continuallylooking for ways to improve safety awareness and practicesaround electrical lines and equipment. We feel our effortsare best spent in reaching people like yourself — thosemost likely to be living and working around high-voltagepower lines.

This booklet presents safe practices for work and recreationactivities near high-voltage transmission lines.

Please take this opportunity to reacquaint yourself,members of your family, and others that use or have accessto your property, with these safety precautions. If you haveother questions, please feel free to contact your nearest BPAoffice (listed on page 1), or your local utility.

Thank you for taking the time to let us share how “workingsmarter” near power lines can save lives — even your own.

Sincerely,

FRED JOHNSON, CHAIRPERSON

Central Safety and Health CommitteeBonneville Power Administration

Table of Contents

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Preface

High-voltage transmissionlines can be just as safe as theelectrical wiring in our homes —or just as dangerous. The crucialfactor is ourselves: we must learnto behave safely around them.

This booklet is a basic safetyguide for those who live and workaround power lines. It dealsprimarily with nuisance shocksdue to induced voltages, and withpotential electric shock hazardsfrom contact with high-voltagelines.

In preparing this booklet, theBonneville Power Administrationhas drawn on more than 60 yearsof experience with high-voltagetransmission. BPA operates one ofthe world’s largest networks oflong-distance, high-voltage lines.This system has more than300 substations and more than15,000 miles of transmission lines,almost 4,400 miles of which areoperated at 500,000 volts.

BPA’s lines make up the mainelectrical grid for the PacificNorthwest. The grid delivers largeblocks of power to substationslocated near load centers. Publicand investor-owned utilities andrural cooperatives take delivery ofthe power at these points anddeliver it to the ultimatecustomers.

BPA’s lines cross all types ofproperty: residential, agricultural,industrial, commercial andrecreational. They traversehundreds of miles of irrigated andnon-irrigated farmlands.

BPA Transmission Offices; Using the Easement;General Safe Practices

Induced Voltages

Irrigation Systems

Underground Pipes and Cables

Wire Fences; Electric Fences;Buildings; Vehicles

Lightning; Fires; Kite Flying and ModelAirplanes; Vandalism and Shooting;Metal Objects; Climbing; Pacemakers

Trees and Logging; Explosives

Concerning Towers and Conductors;Conclusion; Related Publications

Bonneville Power Administra-

tion

PO Box 3621 Portland, Oregon 97208-

3621

DOE/BP–1821 JUNE 2001 3M

SECOND PRINTING, REVISED