Overhead danger
August 1st 2007 Scaffolders around the UK are being urged to be aware of overhead power lines that dangle just feet from their regular area of work. Power lines are easily confused with telephone lines and can carry voltages from 230 to 400 000. Even touching a 230v line can be fatal and even the lowest voltage lines can produce 10 000 times the amount of current needed to kill a person. If that is not enough, the shock could eject a workman from a ledge and send him toppling to the ground. The advice from the Energy Networks Association is to be constantly aware of the location of the power lines and to avoid getting near them with metal poles. The organisation reminds readers that electricity can jump gaps. Scaffolders are recommended to carry poles horizontally to minimise the risks. Peter Coyle, head of safety, health and environment, Energy Networks Association, says "This advice may seem like common sense, but it's so easy to misjudge heights and distances, especially when working in confined spaces with many distractions." More articles from Energy Optimizers Ltd: | 
