7-6 BA 6001/9001/10001 En – Edition 2.0 * * 6001b710.fm
Safety instructions for operation of earth moving machines
7.6.7 Working in the area of underground electric lines
7.6.7.1 Before excavating with earth moving machines, find out whether there are any
underground electric lines in the work area that might put persons at risk.
7.6.7.2 If there are underground electric lines, determine the positions and the routing of
these lines, and define and carry out the required safety measures after having
agreed upon these activities with the owner or operator of the lines.
7.6.7.3 Before starting excavation work, clearly mark the routing of lines in the area of the
construction site in the presence of the owner or operator. If the position of lines
cannot be determined, dig trenches to search for the lines (by hand if necessary).
7.6.7.4 If the machine operator damages or unexpectedly comes across underground
electric lines or their protective covers, he must stop work immediately and inform
the person supervising the activities.
7.6.8 Working next to overhead electric lines
7.6.8.1 When working next to overhead electric lines and contact lines with the earth
moving machine, maintain a safe distance (depending on the rated voltage of the
lines) between these lines and the earth moving machine and its work equipment in
order to avoid any current transfer. This also applies to the distance between these
lines and attachments or loads.
7.6.8.2 The following safe distances apply in Germany:
Rated voltage Safe distance
Up to 1000 V 1.0 m / 3’ 3’’
Over 1 kV to 110 kV 3.0 m / 9’ 10’’
Over 110 kV to 220 kV 4.0 m / 13’ 1’’
Over 220 kV to 380 kV
Or unknown rated voltage 5.0 m / 16’ 5’’
7.6.8.3 In doing so, also bear in mind all work movements of the earth moving machine ,
e.g. boom positions, swinging of ropes and the size of hitched loads. Also bear in
mind uneven ground resulting in an inclined position, and hence in a shorter
distance of the earth moving machine to overhead electric lines.
Both overhead electric lines and the work equipment can be deflected even by slight wind,
resulting in a reduced distance to the lines.
7.6.8.4 If no sufficient distance can be kept to overhead electric lines and contact lines, the
contractor must take other safety measures to avoid current transfer after having
agreed upon these activities with the owner or operator of the lines. This can be
achieved, for instance, by
• switching off the current,
• re-routing the overhead electric line,
• protecting overhead electric lines by installing them underground or
• limiting the work range of the earth moving machine.
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