What is the minimum recommended clearance from overhead power lines during aerial operations?

• A. 6 feet (1.8 meters)
• B. 10 feet (3 meters)
• C. 15 feet (4.5 meters)
• D. 20 feet (6 meters)

Answer: (B)

Maintaining safe distance from overhead power lines during aerial operations is essential because energized conductors can arc to equipment or the bucket, and lines can sag or move with wind. The minimum recommended clearance is ten feet (three meters). This buffer accounts for line sag, equipment drift, and weather factors, reducing the chance of contact or arcing. While larger clearances like fifteen or twenty feet provide extra safety, the minimum required in typical aerial work is ten feet. Six feet would not provide enough margin and increases the risk of electrical contact.