Electrical contractors involved in the construction and maintenance of electrical transmission and distribution (T&D) lines are at extremely high risk of electrocution. The result of inadvertent contact with T&D lines often is death or severe injury that involves damage to internal organs, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological damage, and severe burns. The Center for Construction Research and Training recently found that electrocution is the third leading cause of occupational fatalities, accounting for over 9% of worker deaths each year. Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that, of the 192 recorded electrocution fatalities in 2008, 53% involved overhead power lines. It is no secret that the safest way to work on T&D lines is to de-energize the system prior to work. Unfortunately, such outages can be expensive causing utility companies to maintain the electrical lines energized during work. Through four interviews with electrical contractors and six interviews with utility representatives, this research study identifies and discusses the technical, safety, economic, social, and socio-political factors that influence the decision to de-energize electrical lines. The study found that the principal factor considered before de-energizing a system is the feasibility of supplying electricity from an alternate source. Other factors include the mode and intensity of work, voltage in the line, systems and organizations affected, season of the year, period of the day, loss in revenue, inconvenience to customers, present condition of the line system, accessibility to safety tools and availability of skilled labor.
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