Preventing Worker Deaths and 

Injuries from Contacting Overhead 

Power Lines with Metal Ladders 

Summary 

Workers risk electrocution 

when using metal ladders 

around energized, overhead 

power lines. The National 

Institute for Occupational 

Safety and Health (NIOSH) 

has developed recommendations to prevent injuries and 

deaths while working with 

metal ladders. 

Description of 

Exposure 

A NIOSH review of the Bureau 

of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census 

of Fatal Occupational Injuries 

(CFOI) data from 1992–2005 

identified at least 154 electrocution deaths that resulted from 

contacting overhead power lines 

with portable metal ladders (excluding truck-mounted and aerial ladders) [NIOSH 2007a]. Of 

these 154 deaths, 36 involved a 

person of Hispanic origin (CFOI 

data for all years exclude New 

these electrocution deaths due to 

ladders contacting power lines, it 

is estimated that they made up 

only 11% of the workforce during this period [NIOSH 2007b]. 

The NIOSH Fatality Assessment 

and Control Evaluation (FACE) 

Program is designed to identify, study, and prevent fatal occupational injuries [www.cdc.gov/ 

niosh/face]. A review of NIOSH 

FACE cases between 1987 and 

2007 identified 11 investigations 

involving the deaths of 12 workers that occurred while working 

around overhead power lines and 

using metal ladders. Ladder contacts with power lines usually occurred during erection, lowering, 

or relocation of the ladder. 

The surveillance data indicate a 

disproportionate rate of deaths 

among Hispanic workers involved 

in incidents related to metal ladders making contact with overhead power lines. Recent investigations of Hispanic worker deaths 

have also highlighted the need for 

worksite surveys and hazard controls and identified additional safety measures for workers whose primary language is not English. Two 

cases are described below. 

FACE Case Study 1 

A 32-year-old Hispanic painter 

was electrocuted when the metal 

ladder he was carrying contacted 

an overhead power line. His first 

language was Spanish, though he 

reportedly spoke some English. 

Before the incident, the victim and 

his coworkers had been painting 

a private residence. As the workers were beginning to clean up at 

the end of the workday, the victim picked up his 40-foot metal 

ladder and retracted it to approximately 20 feet. While carrying the 

ladder upright to the work van, 

the foreman and a coworker verbally warned the victim about the 

power line, reportedly in English 

and Spanish. Several seconds later, the victim’s ladder contacted 

York City; the data for 2005 are DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

preliminary). Although Hispan- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health ic workers accounted for 23% of 
 

 

 

 

the 13,200-volt overhead power line located approximately 21 feet above the ground. The victim 

was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he was 

pronounced dead in the emergency room [NIOSH 

2004a]. 

FACE Case Study 2 

A 24-year-old Hispanic, Spanish-speaking painter 

was electrocuted when the metal ladder he was repositioning contacted a 24,000-volt overhead power line 21 feet above the ground. The victim and his 

coworkers were painting several two-story townhouses. While the worker was repositioning his 28­

foot metal extension ladder (which was extended to 

26 feet), the ladder contacted the overhead power 

line located approximately 16 feet from the painting operation (see Figure 1). Several seconds later, 

the foreman heard a buzzing sound and saw the victim gripping his ladder before falling to the ground. 

The victim was pronounced dead in the hospital 

emergency room [NIOSH 2004b]. 

Controls 

Employers, workers, general contractors, and ladder 

manufacturers should take the steps outlined in the 

following sections to protect workers while working 

around overhead power lines. Many of these steps 

Figure 1. Overhead power line 16 feet from the 

painting operation in FACE Case Study 2. Photograph courtesy of the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration [NIOSH 

2004b]. 

are required or suggested by Occupational Safety 

and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. 

For workers in the construction industry, 29 CFR* 

1926 includes requirements for worker training [29 

CFR 1926.1060 and 1926.21(b)(2)], safe use of 

ladders [29 CFR 1926.1053], working near an electric circuit [29 CFR 1926.416(a)], and providing 

prompt medical attention in the event of serious injury [29 CFR 1926.50]. For workers in other industries, 29 CFR 1910.333 specifies minimum distances between workers using conductive equipment 

and power lines. Both sets of regulations provide 

good guidance for protecting workers from contact 

with overhead power lines, regardless of whether 

the regulations are required by the industry employing the workers. 

Employers—Site Setup 

■	 Identify the location of overhead power lines as a 

routine part of all initial worksite surveys for jobs 

involving the use of ladders. Always note power 

line heights and distances from work areas on 

site diagrams to provide key information for site 

supervisors and workers. 

■	 Avoid or limit proximity to power lines whenever 

possible. Consider ladder length and room for ladder staging (safely raising and lowering ladders). 

■	 Notify the local electric utility company for assistance if work needs to be done near energized, 

overhead power lines. 

■	 Ensure that workers maintain a safe working distance between power lines and equipment or structures that require periodic maintenance or access. 

■	 Do not store materials or equipment below or 

near overhead power lines. 

■	 Eliminate the use of metal ladders near energized 

overhead power lines. 

■	 Ensure that workers keep conductive objects at 

least 10 feet away from unguarded, energized 

lines up to 50 kilovolts. For every 10 kilovolts 

above 50 kilovolts, maintain an additional 4 inches of clearance. 

*Code of Federal Regulations. See CFR in References. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employers—Worksite on the edge of a roof 16 feet above the ground, 

the bottom of the ladder should be 4 feet out 

■	 As part of the site safety program and orientation, make supervisors and workers aware of 

power line distances from work areas, including 

ladder length and ladder staging areas. Use site 

diagrams to communicate this information and 

ground level signs or taped markers to remind 

workers of overhead power line locations. 

■	 For training, consider the languages and reading 

levels of the workers. Explain the risks and consequences of contacting overhead power lines. 

Explain and provide hands-on practice in recognizing hazards and avoiding unsafe conditions 

with ladders and overhead power lines. 

■	 Do not use metal ladders near energized overhead power lines. Provide the appropriate American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved ladders for work near energized, overhead 

power lines. 

■	 Prevent movement into a power line by ensuring 

that ladders are stable, level, and adequately supported (i.e., tied or blocked). 

■	 Ensure that workers are provided with a means of 

emergency communication and are also trained 

in approaching injured workers and providing aid 

during an electrical incident, including first aid 

and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). 

Workers 

■	 LOOK UP! Note the location of overhead power 

lines at the start of each job. 

■	 Always assume all overhead lines are energized 

and dangerous. 

■	 Do not use metal ladders when working around 

or near overhead power lines. 

■	 Always lower the ladder and carry it horizontally when moving it to avoid contacting overhead 

power lines. Have someone help carry and set up 

long and unwieldy ladders. 

■	 Follow the 1:4 rule—For every 4 feet between 

the ground and the upper point where a ladder 

is resting, set the feet of the ladder out 1 foot 

horizontally. For example, if the ladder is resting 

from that edge. 

■	 Never touch or go near a person or equipment 

(such as a ladder) that is in contact with an overhead power line. 

■	 Follow all safety rules; if you have any questions 

or concerns, ask your employer or supervisor. 

General Contractors 

■	 Ensure through contract language that all subcontractors implement safety and health programs and training specific to the worksite and 

the hazards present while working around overhead power lines. 

Ladder Manufacturers 

■	 Consider affixing bilingual labels with graphics to 

provide hazard warnings and instructions for the 

safe use of ladders to workers whose primary language is not English. 

Acknowledgments 

The principal contributor to this publication was 

Nancy T. Romano, Safety and Occupational Health 

Specialist, NIOSH Division of Safety Research, 

Morgantown, WV. Statistical analysis was provided 

by Suzanne Marsh, Division of Safety Research. 

References 

CFR. Code of Federal Regulations. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Office of the Federal Register. 

NIOSH [2004a]. Hispanic painter electrocuted when the ladder 

he was carrying contacted a 13,200-volt overhead power line— 

North Carolina. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety 

and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. FACE 2003–08. 

NIOSH [2004b]. Hispanic painter electrocuted when the metal 

ladder he was repositioning contacted an overhead power line— 

North Carolina. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. FACE 

2003–10. 
 

 

 

NIOSH [2007a]. Unpublished analysis of the Bureau of Labor NIOSH [2007b]. Unpublished analysis of the Bureau of Labor 

Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries: special research Statistics Current Population Survey. Morgantown, WV: U.S. 

file provided to NIOSH. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for DisHealth and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Pre- ease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupavention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. tional Safety and Health. 

For More Information 

The information in this document is based on data, FACE reports, and expert review. More information about the NIOSH 

FACE program is available at www.cdc.gov/niosh/face. 

The NIOSH safety and health topic page on electrical safety is available at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/electrical/. This 

page includes further guidance on preventing electrocutions 

of workers using metal ladders and guidance on electrocution 

hazards associated with scaffolds, tree trimming, and cranes, 

among others. 

To receive more information about occupational safety and 

health topics, contact NIOSH at 

Telephone: 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636) 

TTY: 1–888–232–6348 

E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh. 

For a monthly update on news at NIOSH, subscribe to NIOSH 

eNews by visiting www.cdc.gov/niosh/eNews. 

Preventing Worker Deaths and Injuries from Contacting Overhead Power Lines with Metal Ladders 

Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH. In addition, citations to Web sites external to NIOSH do not constitute NIOSH endorsement of 

the sponsoring organizations or their programs or products. 

Furthermore, NIOSH is not responsible for the content of 

these Web sites. 

This document is in the public domain and may be freely copied or reprinted. NIOSH encourages all readers of 

the Workplace Solutions to make them available to all 

interested employers and workers. 

As part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 

NIOSH is the Federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations to prevent work-related 

illnesses and injuries. All Workplace Solutions are based on research studies that show how worker exposures to hazardous 

agents or activities can be significantly reduced. 

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007–155 

Safer • Healthier • PeopleTM September 2007 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

4676 Columbia Parkway 

Cincinnati, OH 45226–1998