Think about these activities in particular:
- Using long or tall equipment like scaffolding, ladders or poles
- Carrying long materials like beams or eavestroughs
- Using machinery that extends up or out, like hydraulic scaffolding or a crane
- Digging
Are there are any medium-voltage lines near the jobsite?
Medium-voltage lines are at the top of utility poles. They may look harmless, but they are extremely dangerous. The most common configurations of medium-voltage lines are a single bare wire mounted on a porcelain insulator or three bare wires mounted on porcelain insulators.
You’ve answered:
What do I do?
Estimate by eye whether there’s a risk of anyone or anything—tools, equipment or building materials—getting within 3 m of a medium-voltage line while the work is being done.
Safety warning
DON’T USE A MEASURING INSTRUMENT OF ANY KIND: ESTIMATE AS WELL AS YOU CAN BY EYE FROM THE GROUND.
NEVER PLACE A TAPE MEASURE OR ANYTHING ELSE WITHIN 3 M OF A MEDIUM-VOLTAGE LINE.
According to your visual estimate, is there any risk of anyone or anything—tools, equipment or building materials—coming within 3 m of a medium-voltage line while work is being done?
You’ve answered:
What do I do?
Personal safety on the jobsite is the most important thing. Call us BEFORE starting work. A representative may be able to clarify the situation and, if necessary, suggest ways to make sure the work is done safely.
Hydro-Québec will do a free assessment of jobsite hazards. Some of the safety measures to be taken after that may involve costs.
Request a safety assessment of work near a distribution line
Are there any low-voltage lines nearby?
The most common configurations of low-voltage lines are two sheathed wires twisted around a bare metal wire or three sheathed wires stacked one above the other.
You’ve answered:
What do I do?
The term “low-voltage lines” may make it sound like they aren’t dangerous. But they are. Even 120-V lines can transmit hundreds of amperes, enough to cause serious injury. Never touch this kind of line when doing any kind of construction work. Even though they’re insulated, the sheathing may be cracked or damaged.
Less often, three bare wires, stacked one above the other, are used for low voltage. NEVER LET ANYTHING GET WITHIN 3 M OF THEM.
Estimate by eye whether there’s a risk of anyone or anything—tools, equipment or building materials—coming into contact with a low-voltage line while work is being done.
Safety warning
DON’T USE A MEASURING INSTRUMENT OF ANY KIND: ESTIMATE AS WELL AS YOU CAN BY EYE FROM THE GROUND.
NEVER PLACE A TAPE MEASURE OR ANYTHING ELSE WITHIN 3 M OF A LOW-VOLTAGE LINE.
According to your visual estimate, is there any risk of anyone or anything—tools, equipment or building materials—coming into contact with a low-voltage line while work is being done?
You’ve answered:
What do I do?
Personal safety on the jobsite is the most important thing. Call us BEFORE starting work. A representative may be able to clarify the situation and, if necessary, suggest ways to make sure the work is done safely.
Hydro-Québec will do a free assessment of jobsite hazards. Some of the safety measures to be taken after that may involve costs.
Request a safety assessment of work near a distribution line
Do you need to dig?
You’ve answered:
What do I do?
There are telecommunications, TV cable, natural gas, power and sewer lines underground.
BEFORE doing any digging, if you have even the slightest uncertainty about whether there are any underground utilities nearby, file a locate request with Info-Excavation. It’s a free service offered throughout Québec.
You just have to file a single request, and Info-Excavation will check for possible hazards with all its member utilities: power, natural gas, telephone, cable TV, etc.
If there are underground lines nearby, the utilities affected by your work will arrange appointments to locate and flag pipe and cable locations.
Thank you for taking the time to make sure your work site is safe. In case you have any doubts about the hazards of the electrical equipment on site, we’re here to help.
Useful links
- What activities are dangerous near power lines?
- What to do BEFORE pruning or cutting down a tree?
- How to avoid damaging power lines connecting my home to the grid
- How to plan work near power lines and submit a jobsite safety request
- Where can I put up a shed?
- Making sure your swimming pool or spa meets safety standards
- How to choose the right tree or shrub