The quoted 10-foot dimension is likely an inadequate distance for the job at hand where workers are not outfitted with appropriate, rated PPE and formally trained in aspects of OSHA "minimum appraoch distance." The spacing given looks too close for that of persons working near an energized and grounded 230kV line.

Some very condensed, applicable text may be: http://www2.transmission.bpa.gov/About_TBL/Publications/PDFs/livingWorking.pdf http://www.esci.net/SafetyFiremanArchiv.html http://www.ameslab.gov/esha/Lessons_Learned/Yellow_Alerts/000211a.htm

29 CFR 1910.269 and 1910.333 are very serious business.

It is strongly recommended contacting the line owner and notifying them of your intentions; requesting clearance to do the described tasks. Use of conductive materials in areas near energized lines has most serious safety, legal {and ultimately financial} implications.