Working Near Electrical Equipment

Structures, equipment, and people must stay at least 10 feet away from high voltage lines and structures. This includes ladders, scaffolds, heavy equipment, and hand tools — as well as the people and materials on these surfaces.

Primary lines are typically 26,000 volts and secondary lines are usually 480 volts; to get actual voltages or to request that lines be de-energized, call the Utility at (206) 684-3000.

Before anyone climbs, enters, or works around a tree, they must be trained to recognize electrical hazards and minimum approach distances. They must know the voltage of electric power lines next to their work area.

If a tree trimmer is to approach closer than 10 feet of any conductor or electrical equipment greater than 600 volts, the equipment must first be de-energized or effectively guarded.

A City Light Electrical Safety Observer must be present when working near energized high voltage lines and equipment. Call at least 7 days ahead for a Safety Observer if you will be:

• Excavating within 15 feet of an energized electrical system, such as a vault. Remember your locates.
• Performing work in a vault or handhold. You must have written permission for this.

No contractor may connect, disconnect, or relocate any City Light equipment in handholds and vaults.

When demolishing or erecting a building, you must have a permit. Apply through City Light’s website.

Unauthorized people may not install or disconnect live wires at the utility pole, connect to the distribution system, transfer lines, or install jumpers in meter sockets. Leaving energized equipment exposed and unsafe is dangerous and illegal.

Contact your City Light electrical service representative and find us for permits, support, and more information at the following websites:

• Start or Stop City Light Electricity Service
• City Light Construction Services
• City Light Requirements and Standards

Everyone — including contractors and members of the public — must assume that any overhead wire is energized unless utility authorities confirm otherwise, and it has been visibly grounded or adequately insulated (WAC 296-155-428(m)).

Everyone must maintain a minimum distance of 10 feet from any energized high-voltage lines or circuits (600 volts and up). If you are unsure of the voltage and/or need an Electrical Safety Observer,
contact City Light at (206) 684-3200.

Some examples of work that may include proximity to high voltage lines include the following:

• Climbing/work around trees: Identify the nominal voltage of the power lines before any tree trimming or work near them (WAC 296-45-455).
• Tree trimmers: Tree trimmers who are not electrically qualified must follow WAC 296-45-066(9). This includes proper training in maintaining safe approach distances for the voltages they may encounter. Electrically qualified tree trimmers may work within 10 feet of lines or equipment energized at more than 600 volts. But they may not approach closer than the Minimum Approach Distance (MAD) unless the equipment is de-energized or effectively guarded.
• Work near energized conductors: Personnel may not perform work, store materials, erect scaffolding, or operate equipment within 10 feet of energized high-voltage lines unless the lines have been de-energized and grounded, or if physical barriers prevent contact (WAC 296-155-428(e)).

Under SMC 21.49.120, subsection C, construction contractors are prohibited from damaging, mutilating, destroying, removing, connecting, disconnecting, or in any way interfering or tampering with any equipment belonging to, or in any manner connected with City Light equipment. This includes the following activities unless authorized by the department:

• Transferring lines between weatherheads.
• Installing or disconnecting wires at utility poles.
• Connecting to the utility's distribution system.
• Leaving energized equipment exposed or creating unsafe conditions.
• Installing jumper bars across meter sockets (current diversion).

Excavation and demolition work near electrical infrastructure is subject to specific safety protocols:

• Excavation notifications: Contractors must contact the Utilities Underground Location Center (“One-Call”) at 811 or (800) 424-5555 at least two business days in advance of excavating to locate and mark underground utilities (RCW 19.122).
• Electrical handholes/vaults: No contractor or person may enter a department owned electrical handhole or vault without notifying the department 24 hours in advance and obtaining written permission. An authorized safety watch must be present during all operations (SMC 21.49.120, subsection D).
• Electrical Safety Watch or Observer: When working in substations, switchyards, energized vaults, or near energized underground systems, an Electrical Safety Watch/Observer must be on site. This applies to any excavation within 15 feet of energized systems, as marked by the utility (WAC 296-475(6)(c).
• Advance notification: Contractors must provide a minimum of 7 working days' notice for an Electrical Safety Observer to be assigned before working in a vault or on or near any City Light transmission and distribution system. Contractors must provide 10 days’ notice in advance of excavating near Underground Electrical Distribution and Transmission Systems and 10 days in advance of any excavation at or near Underground Transmission and Distribution systems (Section 1-07.28(9)).
• Work in electrical vaults: Contractors may not connect, disconnect, or relocate any departmentowned equipment in electrical handholes or vaults without written authorization (SMC 21.49.120, subsection D).