Thanks Jeff it's a subject I was genuinely shocked (scuse the pun) to find that very few members even seem to mention or bother about. May I ask what your method is regarding this danger, do you have a golden rule i.e. no closer than x amount of feet? Or put the carbon pole away? Is there any benefit in insulating the most likely point of contact such as the top most section? I honestly know very very little about electrics. I did read of two builders being electrocuted when their ladder touched a cable some time ago.
There is some Talk that in so many years know W/C has been electrocute by using a pole.
Now with more and more W/C taking up the pole, it could bring the possibility even closer.
My own method is very simple, I take a few seconds to do a cable risk assesment, if there are any cables that even look a bit dodgy, I have 2 choices do the Job and take the risk for a couple of quid or I leave it and explain to the customer why I feel its unsafe.
It will only take one or two W/C to be electrocuted before H & S start to jump on us again.
If these threads, can help to just make us all aware of the dangers around us, then it makes for a safer operative.
IF IN DOUBT LEAVE IT is it worth a couple of quid??