Which organization provides safety guidelines for working around overhead powerlines?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the organization that provides safety guidelines for working around overhead powerlines. OSHA’s role includes setting and enforcing standards to ensure safe and healthful working conditions, encompassing a wide range of workplace safety issues, including those related to electrical hazards and high-voltage powerlines. OSHA has specific regulations (like those found in the Electrical Standards) that detail safety practices for workers who may be exposed to electrical hazards when working near live powerlines.

This emphasis on safety protocols is critical, as working near overhead powerlines carries significant risks, including electrocution or serious bodily injury. OSHA provides resources and guidelines that help employers and workers identify hazards and implement necessary safety measures to prevent accidents.

While other organizations like the National Safety Council (NSC) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) may provide useful safety information or advocate for safety procedures, they do not have the regulatory authority that OSHA does in terms of enforceable federal safety standards specifically related to overhead powerlines. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) primarily deals with telecommunications and broadcasting regulations rather than directly addressing electrical safety guidelines in the workplace.