What must be done to a line before it can be worked on?

To ensure safety when working on an electrical line, the appropriate procedure is to ground and short-circuit the line at the work location. This process is essential to prevent accidental energization, which could result in serious injuries or fatalities to personnel conducting maintenance or repairs. Grounding the line creates a direct path for electrical current to flow to the ground, while short-circuiting ensures that any remaining voltage is neutralized, thereby providing a safe working environment.

Prior actions such as disconnecting the line or inspecting for damage may be part of the overall maintenance procedure but do not specifically guarantee safety during physical work on the line. Grounding and short-circuiting represent critical steps that are specifically mandated to ensure that the line is completely safe to work on.