EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: SAFTY PRACTICE WHEN WORKING ON PARALLEL OVERHEAD LINES
BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
For future construction and voltage up-rating projects as well as maintenance work involving parallel
overhead lines, Statnett have initiated a general investigation regarding safety measures applicable
for work on such parallel overhead lines.
GOAL OF THE PROJECT
The aim of this investigation was to provide guidance on safety measures applicable for different
construction and maintenance operations. The outcome of the investigation will provide up-to-date
reference material for an internal Statnett document which can be used inside and outside the
company to provide guidance when working with parallel overhead lines.
GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION
The project was started at beginning of October 2014 and final report delivered in August 2015. The
project was ordered by Statnett. A through Literature review was performed to collect available data
related to safety practices when working on parallel lines. The main references used for this project
were IEEE std 524 and 1048, ESA guide, Statkraft guide, and the work procedures used by utilities
such as Svenska Kraftnät, Bonneville Power Administration, ATCO Electric, Ergon Energy, Western
Area Power Administration.
R&D METHOD
The report is divided into two sections. In the first section the electrical hazards working on
overhead lines are defined and quantified. An overview of the possible electrical hazards that
workers may be exposed to when working on overhead lines is given. For this purpose a distinction
is made between hazardous conditions, and the danger it holds for workers or public at the work
site. Hazards at the work site may expose people at the work site to the danger of:

Electrocution or

Other injuries such as burns, hearing damage, etc.
The risk for electrocution is evaluated in terms of step and touch voltage and other injuries are to be
avoided altogether. The situations that could result in a hazardous condition for workers on
overhead lines are presented. From the defined hazards, methods of protection are presented.
In the second part actual guidance from regulations, standards and companies are presented.
RESULTS OF THE PROJECT
The electrical hazards which workers are exposed to during work on parallel overhead lines has been
presented and quantified from different literature sources. In order to deal with these hazards the
typical protections methods have been presented. This information should provide a good base for
understanding the electrical hazards when performing work on parallel overhead lines and is thus
recommended to be used as a Statnett guide. If understanding the background of the different
electrical hazard, personnel would most likely be more cautious when performing work and make
sure that the necessary protection against worksite hazards has been taken.
IMPLEMENTATION OF RESULTS
This information provide a good base for understanding the electrical hazards when performing work
on parallel overhead lines and is thus recommended to be used as a Statnett guide.
DISSIMINATION OF RESULTS
This project was a literature review of existing knowledge (standards, guidelines, etc.) about safety
measures available for construction and maintenance operations. The results of this project have not
been used in any other publication other than the main report delivered and presented to Statnett.
Parallel overhead lines