Proximity Alarm Standard From ASTM to Help Prevent Power Line Contact

Aimed at reducing the risk of contact with power lines by cranes, utility trucks and other equipment, a proposed ASTM standard (Work Item WK49653) describes high-voltage proximity alarm systems. These alarms provide audible and visual alerts with or without the ability to limit movement of equipment.

“In the construction industry alone,” says ASTM member Lance Burney, “OSHA estimated that there are 164,000 establishments using about 96,000 cranes that could fall under the scope of this standard.”

According to ASTM, the standard would apply to any equipment that can elevate to the height of a power line, such as fire trucks, mining apparatuses, news vans, concrete pumps, excavators, derrick diggers and dump trucks.