Before assembly or disassembly of a crane, the employer must determine if it could come within 20 feet of a power line. If so, the employer must either:
If the line is not de-energized (which is usually the case), the employee is required to conduct a meeting with the assembly/disassembly crew to review measures to prevent encroachment; they must use only non-conductive tag lines, and they must use a dedicated spotter, an elevated warning line/barrier in view of the operator, or an alarm/ automatic control system.
Cranes cannot be assembled or disassembled below an energized power line or within the minimum distances referenced in Table A of a power line.
And if Table A is used, the owner/utility must provide the voltage to the employer within 2 days of a request.
Power lines must be assumed to be energized until they are confirmed to be de-energized and visibly grounded. Warnings about electrocution hazards must be posted in the view of the operator in the cab and outside the cab.
The work zones around equipment must be marked 360 degrees around the equipment to prevent encroachment within 20 feet of a power line.
If the line is not de-energized, a meeting must also be held with the crew before operations begin to review the location of the lines and procedures to prevent encroachment.
Operators and crew members must now be trained on the procedures to follow in the event of a contact
| Voltage (kV) | Minimum Clearance Distance (ft) |
| Up to 50 | 10 |
| >50 to 200 | 15 |
| >200 to 350 | 20 |
| >350 to 500 | 25* |
| >500 to 750 | 35* |
| >750 to 1,000 | 45* |
| >1,000 | determined by the utility/owner |
* According to 1926.1409, where the exact voltage is unknown, but is over 350 and under 1,000 kV, the minimum distance must be 50 feet. Over 1,000 kV, the utility/owner or a registered engineer must establish the minimum distance.