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| Work Safely Around Overhead Power Lines |
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| Roofing and other overhead activities can bring you dangerously close to energized lines. Here are some safety tips to help protect yourself and your crew from potentially deadly electrical contact. |
| Order your FREE worker safety kit on the AEP e-SMARTworkers website. |
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| Look Up and Look Out |
| Before starting any overhead job, take a moment to inspect your work area thoroughly. Check for utility infrastructure components, such as power lines, poles and guy wires. Point them out to crew members. Always check for power lines before raising ladders, tools or materials. The same applies when erecting, moving or dismantling scaffolds. |
| Follow the 10-Foot Rule |
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Keep yourself, all tools, equipment and vehicles at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines carrying up to 50 kV. Greater voltages require greater distances. |
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Before work begins, call AEP to verify voltages, and consult osha.gov to determine the minimum required safety clearance distances. |
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If you must work closer to power lines than the mandated distance, call AEP well in advance to make safety arrangements. |
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Carry all ladders, long-handled tools, gutters, siding and downspouts level with the ground. |
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Keep in mind that tools, equipment and materials can shift due to wind or unexpected events. Always maintain the minimum required clearance plus a buffer zone. |
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| In Case of Power Line Contact |
| If your equipment comes into contact with an overhead power line or causes an overhead power line to fall, assume the power line is energized and take the following steps: |
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Do NOT touch or move the line or anything it is touching. Keep the public far away. |
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Call 911 and AEP immediately. Do NOT resume work until utility representatives tell you it is safe. |
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If the line should fall onto a truck or other equipment, don’t panic. Warn everyone, including other workers, to stay far away from the vehicle as well as the power line. Anyone inside or on the vehicle should stay where they are until instructed otherwise by AEP or emergency officials. |
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| Would You Like to Know More? |
| Additional utility safety tips, case studies, instructional videos and educational tools can all be found, at no charge to you, on AEP’s e‑SMARTworkers website. |
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For electrical emergencies, call 911
and AEP: 800-277-2177
Appalachian Power: 800-956-4237
Indiana Michigan Power:
IN: 800-311-4634 | MI: 800-311-6424
Kentucky Power: 800-572-1113
AEP Ohio: 800-672-2231
Public Service Company of Oklahoma: 888-216-3523
Southwestern Electric Power: 888-216-3523
AEP Texas: 866-223-8508
AEP Wheeling Area: 800-982-4237 |
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| © 2026 Culver Company, LLC |
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