sky. Implementing OSHA's federal requirements for operation near electric powerlines, which includes using a spotter to help the operator know if the crane's wire rope is getting close to the thin cable of the power line, provides for safe operation. Accidents involving contact between a power line and a crane are invariably extremely serious, often resulting in extensive injury or the death of crane operative(s). In fact, on average 100 contacts occur each year in the US between a crane and a power line, while 20% of all fatalities in the US construction industry are due to cranes touching power lines. Electrocution because of power line contact is sufficient to cause ventricular fibrillation of the heart, often fatal, while the wound caused by the electric current leaving the body will often remove limbs. Grounding a crane is not effective, since enough current can still pass through crane operatives to be fatal. References Electrical safety