Knowledge of the characteristics of lightning flashes, such as stepped leader and return stroke, as well as of the electromagnetic fields generated allows estimating voltages and currents induced in power system structures. Since lightning disturbances can be a significant threat to transmission, there have been many studies on their impact to increase awareness of related safety and protection measures. This presentation discusses safety in terms of dealing with interaction of lightning induced electromagnetic fields with a grid, including closing circuits from earth to cloud and lightning strikes. It also makes suggestions toward HV line design to achieve improved lightning safety.