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Occupational Health & Safety Resource Kit. Proudly brought to you by CEPU: NSW Telcommunications & Services Division |
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requirements in NSW. Also refer to the Australian Standards listed below.
There are a number of regulations, safety alerts and Australian Standards that apply to non-electrical workers when required to work close to overhead power lines. These include:
One of the most common causes of electrocution in the workplace is contact with overhead electrical powerlines. This is because people can misjudge heights and distances between the ground and overhead powerlines when carrying equipment like poles and ladders, erecting scaffolding or operating equipment with height extension capacity such as mobile scaffold and cherry-pickers.  Clause 64 2(e) states that "persons at work, their plant, tools or other equipment and any materials used in or arising from the work do not come |
into close proximity with overhead electrical power lines (except if the work is done in accordance with a written risk assessment and safe system of work and the requirements of the relevant electricity supply authority)."
When working at heights near overhead powerlines the following control measures should be considered: Eliminate the hazard: The best method of eliminating the hazard involving overhead powerlines is to deenergise and isolate the power supply and obtain documentary evidence of the continuing isolation of the power supply before proceeding with the work. Testing must be done prior to touching. Workers must be appropriately trained and competent in test procedures and in the use of testing equipment. Overhead power line covers or bunting such as tiger tails may be used to highlight visibility of the powerlines. They do not provide protection against mechanical interference nor provide protection from electrical hazards. Safe working distances: Ensure that a thorough examination of the approaches and surroundings of the site is carried out before taking plant, scaffolding materials or tools to the site or setting it up. This examination is to determine what precautions need to be taken to prevent any part of the plant, ladders, scaffolding, materials or tools coming into contact with overhead powerlines. Where overhead electrical powerlines are in close proximity to a scaffold or ladder, the following clearances should be observed:
Further guidance on the safe erection, use and dismantling of scaffolding near overhead powerlines can be found in AS/NZS 4576 – Scaffolding. Where overhead electrical powerlines are in close proximity to cranes and mobile plant, the following clearances should be observed. |