Aerial Equipment Contact: Imminent Danger

If your aerial equipment comes into contact with a power line and there is fire or other imminent danger, use the jump-and-shuffle technique:

• Do not step out of the vehicle, and do not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Because of touch potential, you could become electricity’s path to ground and get fatally shocked if you touch both.
• Jump clear of the vehicle.
• Land with your feet together and shuffle with small steps, keeping your feet together and making contact with the ground at all times. Because of step potential, you could be fatally shocked if your legs bridge two areas of differing voltage.
• Continue shuffling to a safe distance away. A safe distance is at least 30 feet from distribution lines or at least 100 feet from transmission lines. Remember, all safety clearances given here are minimums. Always use the maximum possible distance.