ALWAYS MAINTAIN A DISTANCE OF AT LEAST __ FEET BETWEEN THE AERIAL DEVICE AND ELECTRICAL LINES.

• A. 5
• B. 10
• C. 15
• D. 20

Answer: (B)

The safety rule here is to keep a safe clearance from overhead electrical lines to prevent both direct contact and any electric arc. Aerial devices like bucket trucks can extend or swing unexpectedly, and arcing can occur if the gap is too small. For most common voltages, a minimum of 10 feet provides a practical, workable margin for the operator to maneuver and react, even with minor shifts of the boom or weather effects. If lines carry higher voltages, or conditions are adverse (wet conditions, windy, etc.), greater clearance is required. That baseline of 10 feet is why this choice is correct: it balances safety with practical operation for typical situations. Distances like 5 feet are too close and risky, while 15 or 20 feet, though safer, go beyond the standard minimum used in many training guidelines.