Logging Near Power Lines

We want you and your logging operation to be safe. Before conducting logging activities adjacent to or under our power lines, please contact Central Lincoln at (877) 265-3211 before you begin. The following are guidelines for operations near Central Lincoln power lines that need to be included in logging plans. For further details, please see the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHA), Division 7, Forest Activities — Section C, 437-007-0230 Power Line Safeguards (PDF).

  • Assume all overhead power lines are always energized. Power lines carry high voltage electricity that can injure or kill if conducted to ground through your equipment, fallen trees, or you.
  • Do not leave strips of uncut trees between the cut unit boundary and the Central Lincoln right-of-way. Trees located near the edge of the right-of-way should be felled away from the power lines. We can provide support for assisting with falling trees near or on our right-of-way. Removal of all trees and related debris is the responsibility of the contractor.
  • Central Lincoln access roads used for timber sale roads should be kept reasonably free of equipment, forest products, and debris. We may need to have road access for emergencies. In this case “reasonably free” means: roads could be cleared within an hour of notice; and roads would be left clear and passable when the timber sale purchaser or contractors leave the area for more than an hour at a time. After project completion, access roads should be in as good or better condition than that which existed prior to the project.
  • Logging trucks and equipment should be parked on the power line right-of-way only during emergencies.
  • Haul roads and skid trail locations should be at least 50 feet from wood poles or steel structures. If this clearance cannot be met, contact Central Lincoln at (877) 265-3211 to discuss options for protecting the poles and structures during the work.
  • Maintain a minimum separation of 25 feet between power line conductors and equipment, personnel, and machinery.
  • No high-lead or skyline yarding should occur across/perpendicular to the power line right-of-way.
  • Avoid loaded helicopter flights over transmission facilities. If necessary fly at right angles to the line and cross at a tower location (for better visibility), maintaining a minimum clearance of 100 feet.
  • No slash or debris burning should occur on or near the power line right-of-way. Concentrated columns of smoke from slash burning near the power line should be avoided in order to prevent electrical arc.
  • Log decking or storage of logs should not occur on the power line right-of-way.
  • Loading of logging trucks should not occur on the power line right-of-way. Logging trucks should not be loaded to a height greater than 15 feet above the roadbed when traveling underneath power lines.
  • If a tree comes in contact with the transmission line, do not attempt to remove it! Quickly remove personnel from the immediate area. Immediately contact Central Lincoln at (877) 265-3211 (24 hours per day, seven days a week).
  • If a wildfire or injury occurs on or near the right-of-way, immediately dial 911, then contact Central Lincoln at (877) 265-3211 (24 hours per day, seven days a week).
  • For extreme safety hazard trees near power lines, and with advance notification, Central Lincoln may be able to provide personnel at the work site.

Power interruptions may lead to loss of income for area businesses that depend on electricity. If a logging operation causes a power outage or a power quality issue, the logging company responsible may be held liable for damages or costs related to the incident.

We want you and your employees to be safe. Please work responsibly around power lines.