Climate change and shifting weather patterns have made for more frequent and violent storms throughout the United States. Additionally, much of the country’s electrical grid is aging and in decline. As a result, damage to power lines and electrical transmission equipment is happening faster than ever—and lineworkers are the ones feeling the strain. Workers should know important storm restoration safety protocols, policies and procedures.

Added dangers

Power outages are likely following weather-related incidents such as hurricanes, tornadoes, flash floods, earthquakes, thunderstorms, ­windstorms or wildfires. The damage caused in a post-storm environment and less-than-ideal weather conditions can enhance the level of risk that lineworkers already face. These added dangers can include fallen trees and power lines, flooding, damaged roads, poor driving conditions or obstructed roadways, and work areas with broken glass or other debris. This makes slip, trip and fall hazards more dangerous and elevates the risk of struck-by hazards from downed lines and damaged trees. 

When transformers, power lines and other energized equipment are damaged, they are more apt to malfunction and result in electrocution, fires or explosions.

Storm-related restoration and response may also include hazards related to restoring communications and water or sewer services. Demolition work, such as debris cleanup, tree trimming and structural, roadway or bridge repair might be required in addition to hazardous waste operations and emergency response efforts. 

Because contractors are involved in so much work, fatigue is also a hazard. After a large-scale storm, it is common for crews to work around the clock to restore power. When this is the case, it is important that employees are not overworked and never perform a hazardous task when overly fatigued. Tired workers are more likely to make mistakes. Electrical and lineworkers should have a minimum of 8 hours off duty during each 24-hour period. Workers should never sleep in a work vehicle or on the job. 

Know the plan

Most utility companies and employers have contingency plans in place prior to a major storm occurring. Electrical and lineworkers must be trained on and familiar with them. 

Often, workers are even required to perform preventative maintenance work in advance, which helps reduce the likelihood of outages and minimizes damage before a storm’s arrival. 

When line crews are tasked with a restoration effort, they are required to take part in a safety briefing that identifies hazards and how each task will be executed safely. Before work begins, the area needs to be surveyed for the cause of the outage. Regular communication should be established and maintained with local area work centers throughout the process. 

Additionally, prior to work starting, the actual or maximum nominal voltage of conductors or equipment that will be repaired or replaced needs to be verified, along with the potential arc flash energy at each specific work location. 

The National Electrical Safety Code also requires an arc flash hazard analysis to be conducted for individuals working on or near energized lines or equipment. If the arc flash energy is greater than 2 cal/cm², workers must wear protective clothing with an effective arc rating not less than the anticipated level of arc energy. All other appropriate clothing for the weather conditions and PPE for the job must also be worn.

Every effort must be made to ensure lines are de-energized. Properly ground and tag equipment. If any line clearance is necessary because of the storm, crews must do so in compliance with all state and federal regulations and company safety procedures. 

All restoration workers should constantly monitor the weather, as new or additional storms can pop up at any moment. Far too often, by the time workers are aware of an approaching storm, it’s too late and there is no time to prepare. 

Emergency response standard

Finally, lineworkers and their employers should be aware of the potential impact presented by OSHA’s proposed Emergency Response Standard. If finalized, it would affect electrical workers anytime an incident command structure is in place for situations such as road closures due to downed wires or trees on wires with resulting fires. For more details, see “The Shifting Sands of Government Standards” in the February 2025 issue of ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR.

Workers are supposed to be exempt “after emergency response activities have terminated,” but when does something like storm restoration “terminate”? 

Clarification will be needed to fully understand the effect on the line and utility communities. 

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