Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | June 2, 2026
VICTORIA – BC Hydro and WorkSafeBC have released information that shows electrical incidents overwhelmingly affect workers outside the electrical trades.
Data from WorkSafeBC states construction workers, window washers, painters, surveyors and crane and heavy equipment operators are at greater risk. From 2015 to 2025, approximately 74 per cent of short-term, long-term and fatal claims related to contact with power lines involved workers in non-electrical occupations.
A new BC Hydro survey reinforces this trend, explains a release, highlighting a gap in electrical safety awareness among workers in non-electrical occupations. While many workers said they know how far they and their tools should stay from overhead power lines, 41 per cent could not correctly identify the required distance.
Awareness of underground electrical hazards is also limited with 42 per cent of workers stating they had not heard of, or were unsure they had heard of, BC 1 Call, Nearly 15 per cent were unsure what steps must be taken before digging.
“Electrical hazards remain a serious risk on jobsites, especially for workers whose primary role is not electrical work, but who are operating near power lines,” said Matt Wilson, BC Hydro’s senior vice-president of safety, in a statement. “Construction, maintenance, excavation, tree trimming and traffic control workers are often exposed to electrical infrastructure. As workloads increase over the summer months, so does the risk of injury.”
Over the past 10 years, WorkSafeBC has issued 688 orders for failing to maintain required separation distances from energized high-voltage equipment, with 531 issued to employers in the construction sector.
“These numbers make it clear that electrical safety is not just an issue for electricians or power line workers,” said Todd McDonald, head of prevention services at WorkSafeBC. “Employers whose workers are operating near power lines — whether in construction, window washing or other industries — must ensure they understand minimum approach distances. In all cases, workers must stay at least three metres (10 feet) away from power lines, and in some situations, that distance must be greater. Proper training and safe work procedures are essential.”
Workers and employers are being advised to:
- Know the requirements: Review the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and WorkSafeBC guidance to understand minimum approach distances and required safeguards.
- Look up, look down and stay back: Identify overhead and underground power lines before starting work and always stay at least three metres (10 feet) away — or more if required for the task under the OHSR. Any project that disturbs the soil means you must click or call BC 1 Call first.
- Choose the right equipment: Never use conductive ladders, such as metal or aluminum, near power lines. Fiberglass ladders reduce risk but do not eliminate electrical hazards or allow work within minimum approach distances.
- Call for help: If you encounter a downed, damaged or low-hanging power line power line, exposed underground cable, or equipment that has contacted a line, treat it as live and dangerous, even if it’s not sparking or making a sound. Stay back at least 10 metres (33 feet) and call 911.