?What to Do if an Electrical Accident Happens

The best way to handle emergencies is by prevention. But if an electrical accident happens, follow these steps to help yourself or others.
Stay on the equipment
It is generally safe to stay on equipment that has made contact with a power line-as long as an operator does not touch the equipment and ground at the same time. Touching anything that is in contact with the ground could be fatal. The driver should remain in the vehicle or on the equipment and, if possible, try to move the equipment away from the wires. If a driver is forced to leave the equipment, as in the case of fire, he or she must be sure to jump clear so that no part of the body touches the vehicle and ground at the same time. Even with the slightest contact, the body will complete the electrical circuit to the ground with fatal results.
Keep others away
Keep everyone away from the equipment, its load, or from fallen wires. Touching a winch line or the load on the equipment could be fatal. This same guideline applies to broken underground cables.
Call
Have someone to get help or to have the power shut off.
Rescue
Rescue can only be attempted safely by a person trained to use special live-line tools. In cases involving high voltage lines, even using a wooden tool, a dry rope, hose, wood pole, or board to move a victim from the wire is dangerous.

If life is at stake and rescue must be attempted, a heavy object like those previously mentioned can sometimes be thrown in order to separate the victim from the wire. Never touch the equipment or the victim if either is still in contact with the power line.