Working around powerlines

[Disco Biscuit]

One project I'd really like to tackle in the next couple of years is re-roofing my workshop. It's a small area (the workshop is 9.5' x 15.5', so the roof area is only slightly bigger) and would be a great way for me to dip my toes into DIY roofing.

The problem is that I'm in a 1940's neighborhood, the power and telephone lines are all above ground. Unfortunately my neighbor's lines run over my backyard and the workshop.

The powerline is about 3' above the roof, so I feel reasonably safe working around it as I can work underneath w/out actually touching it (it only crosses over the corner). However the telephone line actually touches the workshop roof, which means I'd absolutely have to be in contact with it at times.

Does anyone have any experience w/ this sort of thing? What can I do to mitigate the risks?

[lthenderson]

Being on a roof, you should be fairly safe from being electrocuted since you won't be grounded. However, I like to make temporary wooden support poles (with a Y at the end) that I can attach to either side of the roof to push the power wires up as far as slack allows until I am done. Telephone wires are low voltage and as long as the insulation is fine, I wouldn't worry about them either. When handling live wires, I always wear a nice thick pair of leather gloves and or use something non-conductive to move it around.

[Spork]

Telephone wires are low voltage and as long as the insulation is fine, I wouldn't worry about them either.

Ring voltage is usually 48v DC.  It stings a little.  But normally we're talking about an insulated wire that is inside an insulated jacket.  I'm sure it's fine as long as it's not old and crumbly.

If it were my own phone line, I'd just disconnect it while working.  I'm not sure I would do that with a neighbor though.  lthenderson's improvised telephone poles seem like a reasonable alternative.

[BudgetSlasher]

With regards to the phone line agree with what has been said, I would feel comfortable handling them and I would expect that the worst that could happen is a bit of a sting.

Have you looked into calling your neighbors phone provider? I would think their line really shouldn't be resting on your roof; I could foresee the line blowing in the wind over the course of a roof's lifetime cause wear of the shingles by knocking the grit off of the shingles and the same grit could act as an abrasive and degrade the insulation on the wires.

[Disco Biscuit]

Thank you all for the responses. I suspected the phone line wouldn't be terribly unsafe, but I'm glad to get some confirmation. I do like the idea of making some wooden poles to hold it up temporarily while I work on the roof.

Budgetslasher, I haven't called the utility, though I agree it's a good idea. It never actually occurred to me that they'd have a vested interest given the possibility of line insulation degradation. Thanks for the thought!

[Fishindude]

OSHA says to maintain min. 10' worker clearance from live power lines.
I'd call your electric utility and have them send someone out to discuss.   They are often very accommodating and may offer to move, jacket or temporarily suspend the line to make your work safe.   Last thing they want is an electrocution.

[Disco Biscuit]

Thanks for the note, Fishindude. I agree, I'll definitely call the utility prior to working. I guess it didn't occur to me they might set something up to help me out, but I suppose it makes sense for them to do that sort of thing.

[shuellmi]

Def call the utility companies, they most likely had their lines up before the workshop was built

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