--- title: Can a Crane Work Near Power Lines? url: https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/crane-work/can-a-crane-work-near-power-lines/ business: Battle Born Tree Service address: 6301 US Highway 50 East, Carson City, NV 89701 phone: 775.232.8243 hours: Office Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm; phones answered seven days a week; 24-hour emergency service credentials: ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A on staff; Nevada Business License # 20131580674; fully insured type: Tree service (removal, crane work, pruning, stump grinding, defensible space, snow removal, firewood) --- - [Home](https://battleborntreeservice.com/) - [Questions and answers](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/) - [Crane work](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/crane-work/) - Can a crane work near power lines? # Can a crane work near power lines? Only with strict clearance rules, and the lines themselves are the utility's. Federal rules set a 10-foot minimum clearance for cranes working near lines up to 50 kV, and NV Energy handles its own lines. ## What the rule says OSHA's crane standard, 29 CFR 1926.1408, gives three options near power lines: have the line shut off and visibly grounded, keep at least 20 feet away, or keep the crane, its load line and the load at or beyond a table distance. For lines up to 50 kV that table distance is 10 feet. The employer also has to take steps to prevent encroachment, for example a dedicated spotter in continuous contact with the operator or a marked warning line. ## What NV Energy handles NV Energy trims around its own lines, and its service says anyone not qualified must stay at least 10 feet from lines up to 50 kV. The service drop from the pole to your house is the owner's responsibility. Our site lists utility and structure clearance as a service; we do not claim to work on live lines, and the lines are the utility's. ## What to do about your tree If a line is touching or tangled in the tree, stay away, keep everyone back and call NV Energy first. Call 911 if anyone is hurt. Then call us at [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243); emergency service is available 24 hours a day. If a tree you want removed stands close to wires, tell the office. The arborist plans the method around the lines, and sometimes the utility must act first. Read [trees and power lines in NV Energy territory](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/trees-and-power-lines-nv-energy/). Keep in mind that the rule is about the crane, the load line and the load, not only the tree. A swinging piece, a boom raised too far or a rope blown by wind can reach a line the tree itself does not touch. That is why planning, a spotter and the method all matter, and why some jobs need the utility to act first. Ask the arborist how the lines will be handled on your site. ### Sources - [OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1408: Power line safety (up to 350 kV), assembly and disassembly of cranes](https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1408) (read October 17, 2026) - [NV Energy: Tree trimming near power lines](https://www.nvenergy.com/tree) (read October 1, 2026) - [NV Energy: Overhead Power Line Safety brochure ("Be Safe. Be Legal.", NRS 455.200-455.240)](https://www.nvenergy.com/publish/content/dam/nvenergy/brochures_arch/help/brochures/overhead_line_safety.pdf) (read October 17, 2026) ### Talk to the office [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243) | Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm | |---|---| | Saturday and Sunday | Office closed, phones answered | Phones answered seven days a week. 24-hour emergency service. [Free estimate](#quote) ### Keep reading - [Trees and power lines in NV Energy territory](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/trees-and-power-lines-nv-energy/) - [Utility and structure clearance](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/utility-structure-clearance/) - [Crane-assisted tree removal](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/crane-assisted-tree-removal/) - [Who is on site for a crane removal?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/crane-work/who-is-on-site-for-a-crane-removal/) ### Terms on this page [Arborist](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/arborist/) [The full glossary](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/) ### All crane work questions - [Crane work questions](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/crane-work/) ## Related crane work questions [Who is on site for a crane removal?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/crane-work/who-is-on-site-for-a-crane-removal/) [Does a crane job need a street or lane permit?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/crane-work/does-a-crane-job-need-a-street-permit/) [Does crane-assisted removal cost more?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/crane-work/does-crane-tree-removal-cost-more/) [Will the crane damage my yard?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/crane-work/will-the-crane-damage-my-yard/) [How much room does a crane need?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/crane-work/how-much-room-does-a-crane-need/) [Previous question: Does a crane job need a street or lane permit?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/crane-work/does-a-crane-job-need-a-street-permit/)