Power-line limit of approach lookup

R 03 mHow the lookup works

Each province writes its limits of approach as a table of voltage bands, measured phase to phase, with a minimum distance for each band. The lookup holds only the bands we read in each regulation, every one tied to its source row, and follows five rules:

1. Exact band: the distance for that band is shown. In Alberta, for example, a 25 kV line falls in the 750 V to 40 kV band, which carries 3.0 m¹.
2. Between bands, or outside every band: no number. Some tables list single voltages, not ranges; Alberta lists 69 kV and 72 kV at 3.5 m¹ but nothing between 40 kV and 69 kV. The lookup says so and asks you to get the distance in writing from the line operator.
3. At a band boundary: the larger distance. Prince Edward Island is the one exception: it writes its first band as "up to 750 V" and its next as "751 V", so exactly 750 V returns the 0.9 m band³, and a voltage just over 750 V (below 751 V) is read as the 751 V band.
4. "I don't know": the largest distance in the province's table, labelled as such. In Alberta that is 7.0 m, for 500 kV¹; lines above the table's highest voltage are not in it, and the result says so. The voltage still has to be found out; within 7 m of a line, Alberta makes that the employer's duty¹.
5. Manitoba: Part 25 applies when work or equipment can come within 3 m of an overhead line, and the electrical authority sets the distance and conditions in writing⁴. No number is shown.

The distance applies to every part of the truck, the boom, the load and the rigging. Measure from the nearest conductor and allow for the line and the load swinging.

R 06 mTravelling under a line

Four of the regulations we read treat moving equipment under a line differently from working near it:

• Alberta: the Schedule 4 distances do not apply to a load, equipment or building transported under power lines if the total height, carrier included, is under 4.15 m¹.
• British Columbia: Table 19-1B sets passing distances when only moving equipment under exposed conductors: 2 m over 750 V to 75 kV, 3 m for 75 to 250 kV and 4 m for 250 to 550 kV⁵.
• Saskatchewan: vehicles and their loads on public roads keep at least 0.6 m (25 kV and below) to 1.83 m (230 kV) from exposed energized conductors⁶.
• Nunavut: vehicles and their loads on public roads keep 0.6 m (0.75 to 25 kV), 0.8 m (72 kV), 1.22 m (138 kV) or 1.83 m (230 kV) from exposed energized conductors².

Elsewhere: Not covered in our research; the operating distance applies unless the regulation says otherwise. A boom truck travelling with its boom stowed is still a tall vehicle, and a boom that has crept up from its rest is not stowed.

R 09 mThe extra rules that apply

The distance is never the whole rule. The lookup lists these under every answer for the province you choose:

• Alberta: before work within 7 m of a line, the employer determines the voltage and sets the limit of approach¹; before working closer than the Schedule 4 distance, the employer notifies the line operator and gets its help protecting workers¹.
• British Columbia: if the distances cannot be kept, a written assurance from the power system owner is required, and where lines cannot be isolated, rerouted or guarded, the area is barricaded and a safety watcher with a positive stop signal is designated⁵. BC's critical-lift definition covers any lift over or between energized high-voltage conductors, as well as lifts over 90% of rated capacity at more than half the maximum radius⁷.
• Ontario: where a crane could encroach, the constructor sets written measures and procedures, gives written notice to the operator and posts a sign at the operator's station⁸; a competent worker designated as signaller is stationed in full view of the operator⁸. On an industrial establishment, Reg. 851 s.60 keeps the same three distances⁹, with a worker stationed within the operator's view and clearance allowed for boom angle and swing⁹.
• Manitoba: a signal person with an unobstructed view of the operator is assigned when the electrical authority instructs it⁴.
• Quebec: work inside the minimum distance is allowed only if the line is de-energized, an agreement with the utility is sent to the CNESST, or the equipment has an engineer-certified range-limiting device and a trained operator¹⁰.
• Newfoundland and Labrador: before operating a boom truck near conductors, the employer gets the voltage and clearance in writing from the utility, and without it 5.5 m must be kept¹¹; operators complete a power line hazards training program first¹¹.
• New Brunswick: before work that could come closer than the s.289(1) distance, the employer contacts the authority that owns or operates the line and ensures it is de-energized or insulated or guarded¹²; a lift over or between energized high voltage conductors is a critical lift, which needs a code of practice¹².
• Nova Scotia: before work that could come closer than the table distance, the employer contacts the utility that owns or operates the line and makes sure it is insulated or guarded¹³; a signaller is required where the operator cannot see the distance or the hoist is closer than its boom length to the line¹³; with the voltage not known, 6.0 m¹³.
• Yukon: with the voltage not determined, 7.0 m¹⁴; if the Table 9-1 distance cannot be kept, a written assurance signed for the utility is required, and where lines cannot be isolated, rerouted or guarded the area is barricaded and a safety watcher designated¹⁴; a crane or hoist is positioned so no part of it, the load line or the load comes inside the distance¹⁵. Yukon Energy's own sheet gives 3 m from 0 to 40,000 V and a 7 m danger zone where the voltage is unknown¹⁶.
• Nunavut: near conductors at 31 to 750 V no distance is tabled, but the employer must prevent accidental contact².

R 12 mEvery row behind the lookup

The full table the lookup reads, as checked on 2026-10-06. Voltages are phase to phase. Each row links to its regulation.

Prince Edward Island's table stops at 345 kV, where its last band is 6.1 m; above that, the utility's instructions are required before work starts³. The Northwest Territories table carries the same values as Saskatchewan's: 3 m, 4.6 m and 6.1 m¹⁷. Yukon's Table 9-1 lists the same voltages and distances as Alberta's Schedule 4 from 750 V up, 3.0 m to 40 kV through 7.0 m at 500 kV¹⁴.