Which protective measures are included for handling energized lines?

• A. Use best ground to minimize exposure; bond to maintain equi-potential; ground mats; insulating PPE or barricades.
• B. Only wear gloves.
• C. Ignore grounding if the line appears low risk.
• D. Rely solely on barricades.

Answer: (A)

When lines are energized, the goal is to minimize exposure to voltage differences and create barriers between workers and energized parts. The protective approach that best covers these risks combines grounding to reduce potential differences, bonding to keep all conductive items at the same potential, ground mats around the work area to prevent step and touch hazards, and insulating PPE or barricades to provide a physical and insulating barrier. Grounding and bonding control the electrical potential around the worker, mats help prevent the transfer of current through the body if contact occurs, and insulating PPE or barricades add a personal and access-control layer of protection. Wearing gloves alone doesn’t address other exposure paths like step potential or indirect contact, and relying only on barricades or ignoring grounding leaves gaps that can still expose workers to dangerous voltages.