ROPA Maus 6 - Working in the Vicinity of Power Lines; Behaviour During or after Contact to the Power Lines

Operation
Safety regulations for operation of the machine
6.2.1 Working in the vicinity of power lines
DANGER
Hazard to life due to electrical current!
Due to the dimensions of the machine, the landscape and the construction of power
lines, the prescribed safety distance may be violated when working in the vicinity
of or under power lines. This causes the greatest hazard to life for the driver and
bystanders.
– When working in the vicinity of power lines, indispensably comply with the applic-
able minimum distances. These minimum distances between the outside edge of
the machine and the power line may amount to up to 8.5m. The size of this mini-
mum distance always depends on the voltage of the power line. The greater the
voltage, the greater the prescribed minimum distance. Obtain information from the
power company responsible about the technical situation in due time before start-
ing loading. In case of need, agree on temporary shutdown of the power line for
the time during which you are loading.
– Strictly abide with the agreements made between the power company and you
about possible shutdown of power. Only begin your work after you have ensured
yourself that shutdown has actually happened, for instance by calling the power
company and enquiring about this.
– Especially when performing work at night or in vision-impairing weather, inform
yourself exactly about the routing of power lines.
– Make sure that you do not violate the prescribed minimum distances while loading.
– When installing antennas or other auxiliary devices, always make sure that the
total height of the machine in no case exceeds a dimension of 4m.
Well memorize the following behavioural rules when you are working in the vicinity of
power lines. Exact compliance with these rules may save your life.
6.2.2 Behaviour during or after contact to the power lines
– Try to break the contact with the electric power line immediately by reversing,
swinging away or lowering.
– Stay seated in the driver’s seat – no matter what happens around you!
– Do not walk around in the driver's cabin.
– In case of electrical shock or after contact to a power line, in no case leave the dri-
ver‘s cabin. There is extreme hazard to life outside of the driver's cabin.
– Wait until help arrives.
– In no case use a cell phone or a radio connected to an external antenna.
– Warn any people approaching the machine of the danger with hand signals and
loud shouting.
– Only leave the driver‘s cabin after you have been instructed to do so by rescue per-
sonnel.
If you have to leave the driver's cabin despite voltage flashover for reasons
such as imminent danger to life due to fire:
– Jump off the machine. Jump to a safe standing position with feet together.
– Do not touch the machine from outside.
– Move away from the machine making very small steps.
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