Does an energized line that is not feeding load still have a significant risk associated with it?

An energized line that is not feeding a load still poses a significant risk. This is because the line remains energized, meaning it is at a high voltage that can cause serious injury or death if a person comes into contact with it, regardless of whether it is serving a load. Electric fields and potential arc flash hazards are present as long as the line is energized. Workers must treat all energized lines with caution because the presence of voltage can lead to electrical hazards, such as shock and arc flash, which are dangerous regardless of the line's operational status regarding load.

While a de-energized line does not pose these risks, any energized component requires strict safety measures. Therefore, understanding that the status of the load either being connected or disconnected doesn't negate the inherent dangers of dealing with energized lines is crucial for safety in electrical work environments.