What is the primary safety concern when working with overhead power lines?

The primary safety concern when working with overhead power lines is electric shock from contact with live conductors. Overhead power lines carry high voltages, and any accidental contact with these live conductors can result in severe injuries or fatalities. Understanding the pathways electricity can take and the dangers associated with unintended contact is vital for linemen, as electric shock can lead to serious health consequences, including cardiac arrest, nerve damage, or even death.

While other concerns, such as electrical burns from faulty equipment, exposure to high-voltage equipment, and accidental falls from heights, are indeed significant, they are secondary to the immediate and life-threatening risks posed by electric shock. Linemen are trained extensively to recognize and mitigate these risks when working near or on overhead power lines, emphasizing the critical nature of avoiding contact with any parts of the electrical system that carry current.