Overhead power lines - the silent killer

When I was a kid the government ran a campaign for many years called ‘Look up and live’. For a youngster it was a confronting TV commercial because it focused on young people who’d lost their Dad because of electrocution at work.

Too many people are killed and injured each year as a result of plant coming into contact with overhead or underground power lines. According to a study by RMIT, in the 10 years to 2014, 97 crane operators were electrocuted at work.

Failure to create and maintain a safe system of work is one of the key reasons that many fatal or near fatal incidents occur when working around powerlines. It’s critical to follow a structured and comprehensive process when approaching any task requiring plant & equipment to be operated in the vicinity of powerlines.

State-based safety regulators and regional energy suppliers are a good sources of guidance material relating to the operation plant in the vicinity of powerlines. Most of this guidance stresses the need to understand and implement a hierarchy of control to manage the risk of plant and equipment contacting powerlines.

By following the hierarchy of controls, reliance on administrative controls can be reduced. In many cases however, administrative controls (signage, procedures and vigilance) are the main control type used when working around powerlines.

NOTE: Tiger tails on power lines are a visual reminder only and do not allow you to work any closer.

In the table below, I’ve included some more detailed information about the application of the hierarchy of controls which is crucial when working in the vicinity of powerlines.

Having reviewed the guidance provided by State based regulators and all major electricity distributors there appears to be a consistent approach to the application of the hierarchy of controls. The guidance contains the following key themes:

For more information about the hierarchy of controls, see our article Hierarchy of controls explained.

Below is a state-by-state list of electricity distributors and links to the relevant state-based guidance.

New South Wales

• WorkCover: Work near overhead power lines

• Ausgrid

• Essential Energy

• Endeavour Energy

Queensland

• WHSQ Guidance: Overhead power lines – look up and live

• Electrical Safety Act 2002

• Energex

Victoria

• Electricity Safety Act 1998

• Energysafe Victoria: Working Near Overhead and Underground Assets

South Australia

• SafeWork SA page on Electrical Safety

• Dept. of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure Guidance

• SA Power Networks

Australian Capital Territory

• WorkSafe ACT Guidance Working near Overhead Powerlines

Western Australia

• Guidelines for work in the vicinity of Overhead power lines

• Overhead power lines, duties of employer

• Western Power

Tasmania

• WorkSafe Tasmania Electrical Risks page

• Auora Energy

Northern Territory

• NT Worksafe Guideline on Working Close to Overhead Power Lines

• Power and Water Corporation

If you wish to discuss how to better manage plant and power line safety at your worksite with one of our highly qualified team, please contact us.

Disclaimer: This information is intended to provide general information on the subject matter. This is not intended as legal or expert advice for your specific situation. You should seek professional advice before acting or relying on the content of this information.