Working Safely Around Downed 

Electrical Wires

Electrical hazards multiply for workers involved in cleanup and recovery efforts 

following major disasters and weather emergencies. Life-threatening danger 

exists around downed and low-hanging electrical wires which can still be 

energized following a storm.

Safety First

Always consider all electrical equipment, lines 

and conductors to be energized. If you notice 

downed wires or damaged electrical equipment, 

contact appropriate utility personnel if you 

can. Circuits do not always turn off when a 

power line falls into a tree or onto the ground. 

Reloaders automatically try to reset circuits 

and restore power when it is interrupted. Even 

if electric lines are not sparking or humming, 

fallen electric lines can electrocute you if you 

touch them or the ground nearby.

Energy

Downed wires can energize other nearby 

objects, such as fences, water pipes, bushes 

and trees, buildings, and telephone/CATV/

fiber optic cables. Even manhole castings and 

reinforcement bars (rebar) in pavement can 

become energized by downed wires. During 

storms, wind-blown objects such as canopies, 

aluminum roofs, siding, and sheds can also be 

energized by downed wires.

Backfeed

The improper connection of portable generators 

to a building’s electrical system is one way 

hazardous backfeed conditions are created! 

Backfeed is a hazardous condition created 

when temporary sources of electricity (such 

as a generator) are connected to the damaged 

permanent system causing electricity to flow 

inside and outside a structure through connected 

lines and equipment. In emergency conditions, 

portable generators should only be used as 

standalone sources of power, and (except for 

properly wired by-pass or isolation connections) 

not connected to a building’s electrical system. If 

a generator is connected to a building’s electrical 

system, it must be done with a properly installed 

main breaker bypass to prevent electricity from 

flowing out of the building and into downed 

power lines. 

Some other sources of backfeed include:

• Circuit ties/switch points

• Lightning

• Downstream events

Always ensure that proper lockout/tagout 

procedures are followed to avoid connecting two 

electrical sources to the same circuit.

Rules to Live By

• Do not assume that a downed power line is 

safe simply because it is on the ground or it is 

not sparking.

• Do not assume that any wire is a harmless 

telephone, television, or fiber-optic cable, and 

does not carry lethal current.

• Treat everything electrical as energized until 

tested and proven to be de-energized.

• Never go near a downed or fallen electric 

power line.

• Electricity can spread outward through the 

ground in a circular shape from the point of 

contact. As you move away from the center, 

large differences in voltages can be created.

• Never drive over downed power lines. 

Assume that they are energized. 

• If contact is made with an energized power 

line while you are in a vehicle, remain calm 

and do not get out unless the vehicle is on fire. 

If possible, call for help.

• If you must exit any equipment because 

of fire or other safety reasons, try to jump 

completely clear, making sure that you do not 

FactSheet
touch the equipment and the ground at the 

same time. Land with both feet together and 

shuffle away in small steps to minimize the 

path of electric current and avoid electrical 

shock. Be careful to maintain your balance.

Workers’ Rights

Workers have the right to:

• Working conditions that do not pose a risk of 

serious harm.

• Receive information and training (in a 

language and vocabulary the worker 

understands) about workplace hazards, 

methods to prevent them, and the OSHA 

standards that apply to their workplace.

• Review records of work-related injuries 

and illnesses.

• File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect their 

workplace if they believe there is a serious 

hazard or that their employer is not following 

OSHA’s rules. OSHA will keep all identities 

confidential.

• Exercise their rights under the law without 

retaliation, including reporting an injury or 

raising health and safety concerns with their 

employer or OSHA. If a worker has been 

retaliated against for using their rights, they 

must file a complaint with OSHA as soon as 

possible, but no later than 30 days.

For additional information, see OSHA’s 

Workers page (www.osha.gov/workers).

How to Contact OSHA

Under the Occupational Safety and Health 

Act of 1970, employers are responsible for 

providing safe and healthful workplaces for 

their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these 

conditions for America’s working men and 

women by setting and enforcing standards, and 

providing training, education and assistance. For 

more information, visit www.osha.gov or call 

OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-

889-5627.

DOC FS-3941 02/2018

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or 

standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of 

compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. 

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.