If a power line is contacted by the aerial equipment, what is the immediate action?

• A. Continue operation and switch to manual mode.
• B. Stand by while power is de-energized by supervisor.
• C. Stop all movement, do not touch the equipment, evacuate area, call utilities and emergency responders; assume lines are live.
• D. Only call utilities and continue operation after confirming line is de-energized.

Answer: (C)

When a power line is contacted by aerial equipment, it becomes a live electrical hazard and the immediate action is to stop all movement, do not touch the equipment, evacuate the area, and call utilities and emergency responders; assume lines are live until they are proven de-energized by the utility.

Stopping movement prevents any change that could intensify the current path through the equipment or into a person, and not touching the equipment avoids becoming a path for electricity. Evacuation reduces exposure to step or touch potentials and arc hazards that can occur even without direct contact. Calling the utilities ensures the line is de-energized and properly isolated, while emergency responders can secure the area and manage the incident safely.

Other options delay or downplay the risk: continuing operation as if nothing is wrong keeps the line energized and can extend the danger; waiting for a supervisor to de-energize introduces delay and uncertainty; attempting to confirm de-energization yourself or proceeding after a partial check can be unsafe, since you cannot reliably determine that the line is safe from your position.