What is the preferred method of protecting lineworkers while working on de-energized lines and equipment?

• A. Personal protective grounding
• B. Insulation only
• C. Lockout/tagout
• D. Ground fault interrupter

Answer: (A)

Protective grounding provides a direct, low-impedance path to earth that keeps the circuit at ground potential while a worker is on de-energized lines or equipment. This protects against shock from any remaining or stored energy, and also guards against accidental re-energization if a switch is closed or capacitors release energy during the work. Insulation alone isn’t reliable protection because damaged insulation or unexpected faults can still expose the worker to voltage. Lockout/tagout is essential for ensuring energy sources are isolated, but it doesn’t automatically guard against re-energization or stored energy the moment a fault occurs while someone is in the circuit. Ground fault interrupters are designed for protecting against ground faults in certain low-voltage receptacles and aren’t suited to safeguarding linemen on energized electrical equipment.