If any equipment (including, but not limited to, cranes, excavators, well-drilling rigs, hauling, pipe pushers, hand tools, earth movers, graders, air hammers or oil rig drills) comes in contact with overhead or underground electric lines, consider the equipment energized.
Here's what to do:
- Call 911 if necessary, then immediately contact CenterPoint Energy at 713-207-2222. Report the site location and whether the situation is life-threatening.
- Have someone guard the site to warn others away from the area. Keep people clear of the energized equipment, any fallen power lines or other objects touching them.
- If electrical contact occurs, consider the equipment energized. The equipment operator on the rig is usually safe, as long as the operator remains away from ground contact. If it can be done safely, the equipment operator should attempt to break contact with the overhead or underground line by moving the equipment away from the area.
- If the operator must leave the equipment, he or she should jump entirely free of the machinery. Body contact with the machine and the ground, simultaneously, could be fatal.
- If a shock victim is clear of the equipment or wires, first aid may be necessary. While waiting for medical assistance, if you are trained, provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the victim if necessary. Work quickly, as any delays can decrease the chance of reviving a victim.
