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1SafeWorkAustraliaContactInformationPhone1300551832|Emailinfo@swa.
gov.
au|Webwww.
swa.
gov.
auThisGeneralGuideprovidesinformationonhowtomanageriskswhenworkinginthevicinityofoverheadandundergroundelectriclinesataworkplace.
Itissupportedbyspecificguidancematerialon:operatingcranesandmobileplantnearoverheadelectriclinestreeandvegetationmanagementnearoverheadelectriclinesscaffoldingworknearoverheadelectriclinesagriculturalworknearoverheadelectriclinesworkingnearlowvoltageoverheadelectriclinesnearstructures,andtransportinghighloadsnearoverheadelectriclines.
Youshouldusetheguidancematerialthatappliestoyourworkactivities.
WhoshouldusethisGuideThisGeneralGuideappliestoallbusinessesorundertakingswherethereisariskthataperson,plantorthingattheworkplacecancomewithinanunsafedistanceofanoverheadorundergroundelectricline.
ThisGuidedoesnotapplyto:Workcarriedoutby,oronbehalfof,anElectricitySupplyAuthorityontheelectricalequipmentincludingelectricline-associatedequipment,controlledoroperatedbytheauthoritytogenerate,transform,transmitorsupplyelectricityincludingworkonenergisedelectriclines.
Mobileplantorvehiclesoperatingonapublicroadwherethedesignenvelopeisnotgreaterthanthetransitenvelopeandisalsonotgreaterthan4.
6metresinheight.
Forexample,asideloadingwastecollectionvehiclecollectingwastebinsfromthesideofapublicroadunderoverheadelectriclines.
Acraneormobileplantwhentheyareretractedandcorrectlystowedfortravellingonapublicroad.
Workcarriedoutbyemergencyservicespersonnelincludingstateemergencyservices,fire,police,volunteerrescueassociationsandambulancepersonnelduringadeclaredemergencyorotherlocalemergencyincident.
Workinvolvinglowflyingaircraftlikecropdusting,pesticideorherbicidespraying.
ThisGuideshouldbereadwiththeCodeofPractice:Managingelectricalrisksintheworkplacewhichprovidesinformationonmanagingrisksassociatedwithelectricalsafetyandenergisedelectricalwork.
GENERALGUIDEFORWORKINGINTHEVICINITYOFOVERHEADANDUNDERGROUNDELECTRICLINES2JULY2014WhohasdutiesunderthelawEveryoneintheworkplacehasaworkhealthandsafetyduty.
ThemaindutiesaresetoutinTable1.
Table1DutyholdersandtheirobligationsWhoDutiesApersonconductingabusinessorundertakingApersonconductingabusinessorundertakingmustensure,sofarasisreasonablypracticable,thatworkersandotherpeoplearenotexposedtohealthandsafetyrisksarisingfromthebusinessorundertaking.
A'personconductingabusinessorundertaking'isatermthatincludesalltypesofworkingarrangementssuchasorganisations,partnerships,soletradersorsmallbusinessowners.
Forexampleabuilder,aconstructionbusiness,acranehirecompany,afranchiseeandaself-employedpersonoperatingtheirownbusinessareallpersonsconductingabusinessorundertaking.
Apersonconductingabusinessorundertakingwhohasmanagementorcontrolofaworkplacemustensure,sofarasisreasonablypracticable,theworkplace,themeansofenteringandexitingtheworkplaceandanythingarisingfromtheworkplaceiswithoutriskstohealthandsafety.
Apersonconductingabusinessorundertakingmustmanageelectricalrisksincludingensuring,sofarasisreasonablypracticable,thatnoperson,plantorthingattheworkplacecomeswithinanunsafedistanceofanoverheadorundergroundelectricline.
Designers,manufacturers,importers,suppliersandinstallersDesigners,manufacturers,importers,suppliersandinstallersofplantorstructuresmustensure,sofarasisreasonablypracticable,theplantorstructureiswithoutriskstohealthandsafety.
Designersandmanufacturersofelectricalequipmentorinstallationsmustensuretheyaredesignedandmanufacturedsoelectricalrisksareeliminatedor,ifthisisnotreasonablypracticable,minimisedsofarasisreasonablypracticable.
OfficersOfficers,suchascompanydirectors,haveadutytoexerciseduediligencetoensurethebusinessorundertakingcomplieswiththeWorkHealthandSafety(WHS)ActandRegulations.
Thisincludestakingreasonablestepstoensurethebusinessorundertakinghasandusesappropriateresourcesandprocessestoeliminateorminimiserisksfromworkinthevicinityofoverheadandundergroundelectriclines.
WorkersandothersWorkersandotherpeopleattheworkplacemusttakereasonablecarefortheirownhealthandsafety,co-operatewithreasonablepolicies,proceduresandinstructionsandnotadverselyaffectotherpeople'shealthandsafety.
3WhatisworkinginthevicinityofoverheadandundergroundelectriclinesWorkinthevicinityofoverheadandundergroundelectriclinesiswherethereisareasonablepossibilityapersoneitherdirectlyorthroughaconductingmediumwillcomewithinanunsafedistancetoenergisedelectriclines.
Theterm'inthevicinityof'canbeinterchangedwithotherlegislativeorcommonlyusedindustrytermslikecloseproximity,unsafedistanceornear.
HowcanelectricalrisksbemanagedWorkinginthevicinityofenergisedelectriclinescanexposeworkerstohealthandsafetyrisksincludingdeath,electricshockorotherinjurycauseddirectlyorindirectlybyelectricity.
Contactwithenergisedoverheadorundergroundelectriclinescanbefatalwhetherthelinesarecarryingavoltageashighas400,000voltsoraslowas230volts.
Anelectricshockcanalsooccurwithoutcontactwithoverheadelectriclines.
Acloseapproachtolineconductorsmayallowa'flashover'orarctooccur.
Theriskofflashoverincreasesasthelinevoltageincreases.
Workinginthevicinityofenergisedelectriclinescancreateriskstoworkersandthepublicwhere:apersonorsomethingthepersonisholdingorisincontactwithcouldcomecloserthantherelevantapproachdistances,andtheriskofdamagetooverheadelectriclinesorassociatedelectricalequipmentmaycreateextrariskstoworkers.
Usethefollowingstepstoensure,sofarasisreasonablypracticable,thatworkersandotherpeoplearenotexposedtohealthandsafetyrisks:1.
Findoutwhatcouldcauseharm.
Thefollowingcanhelpyouidentifypotentialhazards:Observetheworkplacetoidentifyworkactivitiesandtasksthatmaycomewithinanunsafedistanceofoverheadorundergroundelectriclines.
Askyourworkers,contractorsandcraneorplantoperatorsaboutpotentialhazardstheycanseeatyourworkplaceorsite.
Reviewyourincidentandinjuryrecordsincludingnearmisses.
Youshouldalwaystreatelectriclinesasenergisedunlessthepersonconductingabusinessorundertakingorthepersonwithmanagementorcontroloftheelectriclineorpremiseshas:anaccessauthorityconfirmingtheelectriclineshavebeende-energised,oranotherwrittendocumentfromtheElectricitySupplyAuthoritythatallowspeopletoworkinanogozone.
2.
Assesstheriskifnecessary.
Inmanycasestherisksandrelatedcontrolmeasureswillbewellknown.
Inothercasesyoumayneedtocarryoutariskassessmenttoidentifythelikelihoodofsomebodybeingharmedbythehazardandhowserioustheharmcouldbe.
Ariskassessmentcanhelpyoudeterminewhatactionyoushouldtaketocontroltheriskandhowurgentlytheactionneedstobetaken.
Riskfactorstoconsiderinclude:thelocation,height,arrangementandvisibilityofoverheadelectriclinesandsupportingstructureslikepoles,towersandstaywiresthevoltageofelectriclinesandexposedenergisedpartsandwhethertheyareinsulatedorbare#1Identifyhazards#2Assessrisks4JULY2014possibleswayorsagoftheelectriclinecausedbywindortemperaturechangessiteconditionse.
g.
prevailingorunexpectedwindsandtheirstrengthanddirection;theterrainandpossibilityofunexpectedgroundsurfacemovementunderplant;andvehiculartraffic,pedestriansorlivestockthatcouldinterferewiththeworkenvironmentalconditionse.
g.
stormactivity—heavyrainorlightningintheareathetypeofplantandmachineryrequirede.
g.
theirdesignenvelope,inherentstabilityandthestabilityofthesuspendedload;theirdimensionsandtheiroperatingcharacteristics,easeofmanoeuvrabilityandconductivityiftheyareearthed;theminimumclearancedistancesfromtheclosestpartoftheplanttoelectriclines;andthepossibilitytheymaybecomeenergisedbyproximitytohighvoltagelines.
thenature,sizeandshapeofloadstobemovede.
g.
loadstability,dimensionsandsurfaceareafacingthewind;whetherloadsareconductive—allmaterialsshouldbetreatedasconductiveunlessconfirmedotherwise—orcouldbecomeconductivewhenincontactwithhighvoltagematerial;howloadsaresecuredandifanypartoftheloadmaymoveandenterZoneB;andwhetherloadsbeingcarriedaboveelectriclinesmayaccidentlyfallontothem.
thetypeofworkactivitiesrequiredandthefrequencyoftheworktasksthequalifications,competency,skillandexperienceofthepeopledoingtheworksettingupandpackingupprocesses,andworkpracticesandprocedures.
3.
Takeactiontocontroltherisk.
TheWHSlawsrequireabusinessorundertakingdoallthatisreasonablypracticabletoeliminateorminimiserisks.
Thewaysofcontrollingrisksarerankedfromthehighestlevelofprotectionandreliabilitytothelowest.
Thisrankingisknownasthehierarchyofcontrol.
Youmustworkthroughthishierarchytomanagerisks.
Thefirstthingtoconsideriswhetherhazardscanbecompletelyremovedfromtheworkplace.
Forexample,riskscanbeeliminatedbypreventingpeople,plant,equipmentandmaterialsfromcomingcloseenoughtoenergisedelectriclinesfordirectcontactorflashovertooccur.
Thiscouldbedonebyde-energisingtheelectriclineforthedurationofthework,isolatingandearthingtheline(orequivalentforlowvoltageorrail)soitisnotenergised,re-routingtheelectriclineawayfromtheworkareaorreplacingexistingoverheadelectriclineswithundergroundelectriclinese.
g.
cables.
Note:De-energisingormovingelectriclinesshouldbearrangedwiththeElectricitySupplyAuthorityassoonaspossiblebecause,dependingonthecircumstances,thismaytakesometimetoarrange.
Ifitisnotreasonablypracticabletocompletelyeliminatetheriskthenconsideroneormoreofthefollowingoptionsintheordertheyappearbelowtominimiserisks,sofarasisreasonablypracticable:substitutethehazardforsomethingsafere.
g.
usealternativeplantwhichcannotenteranunsafezone,non-conductivetoolsdesignedtoreducethepossibilityofdirectcontactwiththeelectricline,orultrasonicmeasuringdevicesinsteadofthemechanicaltypesformeasuringheightsofoverheadlinesisolatethehazardfrompeoplee.
g.
erectaphysicalbarriertopreventanypartoftheplantorequipmentorapersonoranythingheldbyaperson,orattachedtoapersonenteringZoneB.
Aphysicalbarriershouldbemadeofnon-conductivemateriallikewoodorplasticandbeerectedsafely.
Thismayrequireisolatingtheelectricitysupplywhilethebarrierisinstalleduseengineeringcontrolse.
g.
limitmovementofplantwithmechanicalstops,fitplantwithprogrammablezonelimitingdevices,mechanicallylimitslewspeedofacranetosloworuseelectricallyinsulatedplantandequipment.
#3Controlrisks5Ifafterimplementingtheabovecontrolmeasuresariskstillremains,considerthefollowingcontrolsintheorderbelowtominimisetheremainingrisks,sofarasisreasonablypracticable:useadministrativecontrolse.
g.
warningsignstoindicatethelocationofoverheadelectriclinesanddefinedworkareasandsupervisingworktoensuresafeworkproceduresarefollowed,andusepersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE)e.
g.
insulatingglovesthatareeffectivelyelectricallytested,rubbersoledboots,safetyhelmets,standingonarubberinsulatingmatoranequipotentialconductivematandwearingdryclothesespeciallyinwetorhumidconditions.
Acombinationofthecontrolssetoutabovemaybeusedifasinglecontrolisnotenoughtominimisetherisks.
Youneedtoconsiderallpossiblecontrolmeasuresandmakeadecisionaboutwhicharereasonablypracticableforyourworkplace.
Decidingwhatisreasonablypracticableincludestheavailabilityandsuitabilityofcontrolmeasures,withapreferenceforusingsubstitution,isolationorengineeringcontrolstominimiserisksbeforeusingadministrativecontrolsorPPE.
Costmayalsoberelevant,butyoucanonlyconsiderthisafterallotherfactorshavebeentakenintoaccount.
4.
Checkyourcontrolmeasuresregularlytoensuretheyareworkingasplanned.
Controlmeasuresneedtoberegularlyreviewedtomakesuretheyremaineffective,takingintoconsiderationanychanges,thenatureanddurationoftheworkandthatthesystemisworkingasplanned.
IfaSafeWorkMethodStatement(SWMS)(seepage6)hasbeenpreparedduetoenergisedelectricalworkorhighriskconstructionworkbeingdone,theSWMSmustalsobereviewedandrevisedwherenecessary.
FurtherinformationontheriskmanagementprocessisintheCodeofPractice:Howtomanageworkhealthandsafetyrisks.
WhoisinvolvedYoumustconsultyourworkersandtheirhealthandsafetyrepresentatives(ifany)whendecidinghowtomanageelectricalrisksintheworkplaceincludingwhenmakingchanges.
Youshouldencouragereportingofsafetyproblems.
Ifthereismorethanonebusinessorundertakinginvolvedatyourworkplaceyoumustconsultthemtofindoutwhoisdoingwhatandworktogethersorisksareeliminatedorminimisedsofarasisreasonablypracticable.
Forexample,ifyouhireacranecompanytocarryoutliftingoperationsatyourworkplaceandthereareoverheadelectriclines,youshouldtalkwiththecraneoperatorandtheElectricitySupplyAuthorityaboutsafeapproachdistancesandcontrolmeasurestopreventcontact.
Youshouldworktogetherandco-ordinatetheworktoensureworkersarenotexposedtoelectricalrisks,forexampleinstructingonandensuringcompliancewithnogozones.
Youshouldalsotalktotheowneroftheelectricline—alsoknownastheassetowner.
TheownermaybetheElectricitySupplyAuthority,orinthecaseofworkinvolvingprivateoverheadelectriclines,thepersonwithmanagementorcontroloftheelectriclineorpremises.
FurtherinformationonconsultationrequirementsisintheCodeofPractice:Workhealthandsafetyconsultation,co-operationandco-ordination.
PlanningandpreparationBeforestartingworkcarefulplanningandpreparationisessentialtoensureworkisdonesafely.
Thiscaninclude:understandingimportantstagesoftheplannedworkandhowtodealwithchangesastheworkproceedsunderstandingwhatplantwillbeusedintheoperations#4Reviewcontrolmeasures6JULY2014identifyingpossiblehazardsandrisksassociatedwiththeworktalkingtotheElectricitySupplyAuthorityorassetownerabouttheproposedworkifthereisariskofpeople,plantorthingscomingwithinanunsafedistanceofanoverheadorundergroundelectriclineensuringcompliancewithallconditionsimposedbytheElectricitySupplyAuthorityfortheworkacompetentpersoninspectingvisualindicatorsonelectriclinesliketigertailsbeforestartingoperationseachday—ifvisualindicatorshavemovedorbeendamagedtheElectricitySupplyAuthorityshouldbecontactedsotheyarereplacedorrelocatedinthecorrectpositionensuringaneffectivecommunicationsystemisinplacebetweenworkersatthesiteprovidingtrainingandverifyingqualificationsandcompetencyofworkersprovidinginformationandinstructiontooperatorsandotherworkersaboutcontrolmeasurestoeliminateorminimiseelectricalriskssupervisingworkerstoensuresafeworkproceduresarefollowedcheckingtheplantandequipmentincludinglimitingdevicesareworkingproperlycheckingproximityofpeople,cranes,mobileplant,materialandtoolstooverheadelectriclinescheckingproximityofpeopletocranesandmobileplantensuringsafeworkplaceentryandexitcheckingemergencyplanandrescueproceduresensuringemergencyequipmentisprovidedandreadilyaccessibleonsiteincludingfirstaidkitsandfire-fightingequipmentsuitableforelectricalfireensuringapproachdistancesarerelevantfortheauthorisationlevelsoftheworkersdoingtheworkensuringasafetyobserverisusedtowarnpeopleandplantoperatorswhentheyarelikelytocomecloserthantheapproachdistancesandzones,andmanagingtheimpactofenvironmentalfactorsincludingstormsandlightninginthearea.
Whenpreparingfortheworkyoushouldensurenonewhazardsarecreated.
SafeworkmethodstatementsConstructionworkcarriedoutonornearenergisedelectricalinstallationsorservicesisdefinedashighriskconstructionwork.
ASWMSisrequiredforenergisedelectricalworkandhighriskconstructionwork.
YoumustprepareaSWMSbeforeworkstartsandensurehighriskconstructionworkiscarriedoutasspecifiedintheSWMSforthework.
MoreinformationonSWMSisintheCodeofPractice:Constructionwork.
APPROACHDISTANCESFOROVERHEADELECTRICLINESApproachdistancesareonewayofseparatingpeoplefromhazards.
Anapproachdistanceistheminimumspacefromanenergisedoverheadelectriclinethatshouldbemaintainedbyapersonoranobjectheldbyorincontactwiththatperson.
Theapproachdistancesinspecifiedzonesshouldconsiderdifferentlevelsoftechnicalknowledgeanditemsofplant.
Peoplewithouttherelevanttechnicalknowledgeandexperienceofelectricitytransmissionanddistributionnetworksandassociatedelectricalequipmentwillnotbeabletoidentifytheoperatingvoltageofelectriclinesandrecognisethedangers.
Thesepeoplearereferredtoas'unauthorisedpersons'.
Approachdistancesaregreaterforunauthorisedpersonsthanforauthorisedpersonswhohave7beentrainedandassessedashavingthenecessarytechnicalknowledgeandskills.
Whenconsideringapproachdistancesforunauthorisedandauthorisedpersonsyoushouldincludethedistancerequiredtoavoidelectricalflashoverandallowfortheinadvertentmovementofaperson,craneormobileplantandthesagandswayofconductorstoensurethepersonorplantdoesnotenteranunsafezone.
Approachdistancesareonlypartofanoverallsafesystemofworkyoushouldusewhenworkinginthevicinityofoverheadelectriclinesandassociatedelectricalequipment.
WhereitisnotreasonablypracticabletoensureasafedistanceariskassessmentmustbecarriedoutfortheproposedworkandcontrolmeasuresputinplacethatareconsistentwiththeriskassessmentandtherequirementsoftheElectricitySupplyAuthority.
AssessingtheapproachdistanceBeforestartingworkitisessentialtheheightandvoltageoftheoverheadelectriclinesandifapplicablethehorizontalsafetyclearancebeassessedatthesite.
Figure1showsthedistancesthatmustbeassessedforeachsite.
Asdistancesincreaseestimatingthemwithoutequipmentcanbedifficult.
Itmaybenecessarytoallowgreaterclearancedistancesorusemoreaccuratewaystoestimatedistances.
Anultrasoniccableheightindicatorprovidesasafeandaccuratewayofestimatingdistancesnearoverheadelectriclines.
IftheheightorvoltageoftheoverheadelectriclinescannotbeaccuratelyestimatedaskyourElectricitySupplyAuthorityforadvice.
Overheadelectriclinesaremadeofmetalandexpandorcontractwhenheatedorcooled.
Thiscanbecausedbychangesinambientairtemperaturesandelectricalloadcurrentpassingthroughconductors.
Anexpansionwillresultingravitycausingtheelectriclinestosagdownwards.
Windcanmaketheelectriclinesswingfromsidetoside.
Forthesereasonsapproachdistancesshouldbeverticallyorhorizontallyincreasedbytheamountofconductorsagorswingatthepointofwork(seeFigure2).
FIGURE1Distancethatmustbeassessedforeachsite8JULY2014FIGURE2Conductor'sagorswing'Wheremorethanonevoltageispresenttheapproachdistanceforeachvoltageshouldbemaintained.
Forexamplewhereoverheadelectriclineshavetwoormorecircuitsoperatingatdifferentvoltagesandbotharesupportedonthesamepole.
Allowincreasedclearanceswheretheriskassessmentidentifiestheloadorliftinggearlikecranehooks,chainsandslingsmaymoveorswingtowardstheoverheadelectriclinesorassociatedelectricalequipmentwhencranesormobileplantareused.
Awarningsignliketheoneshownbelowcanalertworkersandotherstopossiblehazardswhenestimatingapproachdistances.
Thismaybeusefulfortemporaryworksitesthataresectionedofffromthepublicandhavespecificentrypoints.
HowclosecanIgotooverheadelectriclinesOnceanassessmentofthesiteandtheoverheadelectriclineshasbeendoneadecisionontheapproachdistancefortheproposedworkcanbemade.
Approachdistancescanapplytoall:partsofacraneormobileplantincludingvehiclesloadsbeingmovedincludingslings,chainsandotherliftinggearpeopleworkingatheightse.
g.
fromanelevatingworkplatform,scaffoldorotherstructure,andhandtools,handcontrollines,equipmentorothermaterialheldbyaperson.
Theapproachdistanceforeachworkzone(seeFigures3and4)willvarydependingonthevoltageoftheoverheadelectriclineandthelevelofauthorisationofeachpersoncarryingoutthework.
Astheriskincreasesagreaterapproachdistanceisrequired.
Therearethreeworkzones:9ZoneCisanogozoneclosesttoandsurroundingtheelectriclinewhereauthorityfromtheElectricitySupplyAuthorityisrequired.
ZoneBsurroundstheelectriclineandisfurtherawaythanZoneC.
Itisforauthorisedpersons.
ZoneAisfurthestawayfromtheelectriclineandisforunauthorisedpersons.
FIGURE3WorkzonesinthevicinityofoverheadelectriclinepolesNoGoZoneElectricitySupplyAuthorityapprovalrequiredforauthorisedpersonforunauthorisedpersonZoneCZoneBZoneAFIGURE4Workzonesinthevicinityofoverheadelectriclinetowers10JULY2014ZoneA:UnauthorisedpersonsUnauthorisedworkerscanonlyworkinZoneA.
Unauthorisedpersonsareworkerswhohavenotreceivedtraininginoverheadlineelectricalhazardsanddonothavesufficienttrainingorexperiencetoenablethemtoavoidthedangersfromoverheadelectriclinesandassociatedelectricalequipment.
ZoneAappliesto:unauthorisedpersonsperformingworkinthevicinityofoverheadelectriclinesincludingplant,handtools,equipmentorothermaterialheldbythem,andcranesandtheirloadsandmobileplantoperatedbyanunauthorisedpersoninthevicinityofoverheadelectriclines.
Useariskassessmenttodecidewhetherasafetyobserverisnecessary.
ThesafetyobservershouldmonitorworkclosetoZoneBtoensurenoworkers,plantorequipmententersZoneB.
ZoneB:AuthorisedpersonsAuthorisedpersonsareworkerswhohavesuccessfullycompletedarecognisedtrainingcourseinoverheadlineelectricalhazardssoarepermittedtoworkinZoneB.
ZoneBappliesto:authorisedpersons,withasafetyobserver,performingworkinthevicinityofoverheadelectriclinesincludingplant,handtools,equipmentorothermaterialheldbythem,andcranesandtheirloadsandmobileplantoperatedbyanauthorisedperson,withasafetyobserver,inthevicinityofoverheadelectriclines.
ZoneBapproachdistancesarebasedontheresultsofawrittenriskassessment.
YoumustdevelopasafesystemofworkforZoneB.
ItshouldbebasedonariskassessmentandconsultationwiththeElectricitySupplyAuthorityabouttheproposedworks.
ItshouldalsocomplywitheachworkconditionimposedbytheElectricitySupplyAuthority.
ZoneC:NoGoZone–requiresElectricitySupplyAuthorityapprovalZoneCisthenogozonearoundoverheadelectriclinesandassociatedelectricalequipmentwherenopartofaperson,material,crane,vehicleormobileplantmayenterwhiletheelectriclinesandassociatedelectricalequipmentareenergised,withoutwrittenapprovalfromtheElectricitySupplyAuthority.
Thisincludes:allpartsofaperson,handtools,equipmentorothermaterialsheldbythem,andcranes,vehiclesormobileoperatingplantincludingtheload,controllingropesandotheraccessoriesassociatedwiththeplant.
Thesafestoptionistohavetheelectricityturnedoffandtestedorhavethelinesmoved.
Thiswillruleouttheneedforanogozone.
Iftheelectricalpartishighvoltage,itmustbeearthed.
Iftheelectricitycannotbeturnedoff,theelectriclineremainsenergisedanddangerous.
Nogozonesapplywheneverworkisdoneorplantlikeatiptruck,crane,elevatingworkplatformoraconcretepumpingtruckisoperatingaroundenergisedoverheadelectriclinesandassociatedelectricalequipmentandtheriskcannotbeeliminated.
Theareaofanogozonemayvary,butitwillalwaysexist.
Anogozoneextendsinalldirectionsaroundtheenergisedoverheadelectriclinesandassociatedelectricalequipment—notjustsideways.
Nogozonesshouldbeestablishedbeforeworkstarts.
NooneshouldenteranogozonewithoutthewrittenapprovaloftheElectricitySupplyAuthority.
Theapprovalmayincludespecialcontrolmeasuresrestrictingaccesstothenogozone,forexamplewhereorhowtheplantcanmove,equipmenttobeusedandwhomayenterthenogozone.
Thewrittenapprovalshouldbeavailableatthesitewhentheworkisbeingdone.
11Inplanningtheworkandtodecidethecorrectnogozoneforthecircumstances,youshouldcontacttheElectricitySupplyAuthorityorassetownertoverify:thevoltageoftheelectricline,andifitisinsulatedorbare.
AwrittensafesystemofworkshouldalsobedevelopedforworkdoneinanogozonewhereaSWMSisnotrequired.
Itshouldconsiderthesafetyofworkerswhiledoingtheworkandbereadilyaccessiblebyworkersincludingcontractors.
Asafesystemofworkmayincludesafeworkpracticesandprocedures,safesequencingofworktasks,safeuseofequipment,permitsystemsandrelevantsigns.
Youshouldalsoconsiderwhoorwhatwillbeworkinginthevicinityoftheenergisedoverheadelectriclines,forexamplethe:typeofworktobedonetypeofplanttobeoperated,andamountofplantandthenumberofpeoplewithpermissionfromtheelectricalsupplyauthoritytoenterthenogozone.
Equippedwiththerightelectricaltrainingorexperience,anauthorisedpersoncanworkwithinareducednogozonebasedonariskassessment.
Onsitetheauthorisedpersoncouldbetheplantoperator,supervisor,electricianorworker.
Allofthesefactorsgovernthesafeapproachdistance.
Note:Differentapproachdistancesapplyforscaffoldingworkandworkingnearlowvoltageoverheadelectriclinesnearstructures(seerelevantinformationsheets).
ApproachdistancesforvehiclesTable2setsoutapproachdistancesforvehiclesandmobileplantstowedfortransit,orwithadesignenvelopeuptoandincluding4.
6metresinheight,thataredrivenbyoroperatedbypeopleunderoverheadelectriclines.
Thedesignenvelopevariesacrossjurisdictionsandisgenerallybetween4.
3to4.
6metresinheight.
FurtherinformationontherequirementsfortransportinghighloadsisintheGuidefortransportinghighloadsnearoverheadelectriclines.
Table2ApproachdistancesforvehiclesNominalphasetophasea.
c.
voltage(volts)Approachdistance(metres)Lowvoltageconductorsupto10000.
6AboveLV,uptoandincluding33,0000.
9Above33,000uptoandincluding132,0002.
1Above132,000uptoandincluding220,0002.
9330,0003.
4500,0004.
4Nominalpoletoearthd.
c.
voltage(volts)Approachdistance(metres)Uptoandincluding+/-1500Volts0.
9Whenassessingtheapproachdistanceforavehiclebeingdrivenunderoverheadelectriclinesthefollowingfactorsshouldbeconsidered:TheapproachdistancesforvehiclesspecifiedinTable2arebasedontheirdesignortransitenvelopeanddonotallowanypartofthevehicletocomecloserthanthespecifiedapproachdistance.
Thisincludestheload,exhaustpipeandattachmentslikerotatingandflashinglightsorradioaerials(seeFigure5).
12JULY2014Whereaworkactivityinvolvesapersonworkingfrom,standingonorwalkingacrossthetopofavehicletherelevantapproachdistancespecifiedineitherZoneCorZoneBshouldbemaintained.
Forexample,thismayincludethedriverofalivestocktransporterwhohastoaccessthetopofthevehicletochecklivestock.
Whereasaresultoftheworkbeingdone,thedistancebetweentheoverheadelectriclineandthegroundmaydecrease.
Forexample,whenconstructingaroadorleveebankbeneathoverheadelectriclinesorwherethegroundlevelisraisedduringthework,thedistancebetweenthevehicleshouldbecontinuallyre-assessedtoensuretherelevantapproachdistancesarebeingmaintained.
Extraassessmentfactorsrelevantforoperatingthevehicle.
Note:Approachdistancesandworkzonesineachstateandterritoryvaryforpeople,plantandvehiclesdependingonthevoltageoftheoverheadelectricline,whethertheelectriclinesareinsulatedorbare,andinsomestateswithorwithoutconsultationwiththepersonincontroloftheenergisedoverheadelectriclineandassociatedelectricalequipment.
ForfurtherinformationcontactyourstateorterritoryElectricitySupplyAuthorityorElectricityRegulator.
TrainingandcompetenceYoumustensureinformation,trainingandinstructionprovidedtoworkersissuitableforthetypeofworkbeingdonebytheworker,theassociatedrisksandthecontrolmeasuresused.
Itshouldalsobeeasilyunderstoodbytheworker.
Youshouldverifythatanywrittencertificationshowstheworkeristrainedandhasthenecessarytechnicalskills,knowledgeandcompetencetobeauthorisedtoworkinZoneB.
PeoplewhoworkcloserthantheapproachdistancesspecifiedinZoneCandsafetyobserverswhoobservetheworkinZoneBorcloserthanthespecifieddistancesinZoneCshouldhavesuccessfullycompletedarelevanttrainingcourseprovidedbyaregisteredtrainingorganisation.
Thistrainingisinadditiontotherequirementsforplantoperatorstobecompetentandinthecaseofhighriskplant,holdahighriskworklicence.
Theorganisationprovidingthetrainingandcompetencyassessmentshouldprovidestatementsofattainmentorwrittencertificationofsuccessfulcompletionofassessmentwithauniqueidentifyingnumber.
Safetyobserversmustbecompetenttoimplementcontrolmeasuresinanemergencyandtorescueandresuscitatetheworkerwhoiscarryingoutthework,ifnecessary.
Asafetyobservermusthavebeenassessedintheprevious12monthsascompetenttorescueandresuscitateaperson.
Trainingrequirementsandqualificationsmayvaryacrossjurisdictions.
ForfurtherinformationontherequirementsinyourstateorterritorycontactyourWHSRegulator,ElectricitySupplyAuthorityoryourElectricityRegulator.
FIGURE5Transitenvelope–themaximumoverallheightofthevehicle13MaintainingcompetencyAuthorisedpersonsandsafetyobserversshouldbere-assessedannuallytoensuretheiron-goingcompetencytoworkinthevicinityofoverheadelectriclines.
Re-assessmentorre-trainingshouldcover—asaminimum—theknowledgeandskillsnecessarytoensurerelevantsafeworkpractices,resuscitationproceduresandemergencyrescueproceduresintheeventofanincident.
Peoplewhohavefailedtomaintaincompetencybyapplyingskillsandknowledgelearnttotheirworkon-the-jobshouldcompleterefreshertrainingandcompetencyassessment.
SafetyobserversThesafetyobserverisapersonspecificallyassignedtheroleofobservingtheworkactivitiesinthevicinityofenergisedoverheadelectriclinesandassociatedelectricalequipment.
Thispersonshouldhavesuccessfullycompletedspecifictrainingsotheyarecompetenttoobservetheworkandareabletoimplementcontrolmeasuresinanemergency.
Theyshouldalertworkers,craneorplantoperatorswhenapproachdistancesmaybeabouttobebreachedorifotherunsafeconditionsarise.
Asafetyobservershould:beusedwhenevertheworkactivityislikelytobedoneinZoneBorwhentheworkisdonecloserthanthedistancesoutlinedinZoneCbepositionedatasafelocationtoeffectivelyobservebothoverheadelectriclinesandplantoperationsbeabletoimmediatelyandeffectivelycommunicatewiththecraneormobileplantoperatororotherpeopleifrequiredensureallpeoplestayoutsidethespecifiedapproachdistanceunlesstheyare:performingarescueinaccordancewithapprovedprocedures,orcarryingoutaspecifictaskdescribedintheSWMSe.
g.
acranedoggerholdinganon-conductivetaglineattachedtoaloadsuspendedfromamobilecranenotdootherworkwhileactingasasafetyobservere.
g.
passingtools,equipmentormaterialstoworkersnotobservemorethanoneworkactivityatatime,andmonitortheworkactivitybeingdoneandhavetheauthoritytostoptheworkatanytime.
FurtherinformationandexamplesofwhatcangowrongwhenapproachdistancesarenotmaintainedareinCasestudies–Incidentsandscenarios.
UNDERGROUNDELECTRICCABLESWorkinginthevicinityofundergroundelectriclinesorcablesmayinvolvepotentialcontactwithexposedenergisedparts.
Forexample:aplumbercuttingaconductivewaterpipethatispartofthesite'selectricalinstallation'searthingsystemafencingcontractordiggingholesordrivingpostswhereanelectricalcablecouldbeburieddiggingholeswithmetalhandtoolse.
g.
spades,shovels,picks,forksandhammersdrivingimplementsintothegrounde.
g.
starpicketswhereundergroundservicesmaybelocatedaplumberdiggingatrenchtolocateundergroundpipesexcavatingtrencheswithearthmovingmachineryusingametaltoothedbucket,andusingmobilecranesorheavyvehiclesthatbecomebogged.
14JULY2014Aninjuryresultingfromdamagetoenergisedundergroundelectricitycablesisusuallycausedbyelectricshockortheexplosiveeffectsofarcingcurrentandbythefireorflameswhichfollowwhenthesheathofacableiscrushedorcontactismadebetweentheindividualphasesofacable.
Thepresenceofgasoramixtureofgasesinatrenchcouldbeignitedbyanelectricalchargeoranelectricalarcresultinginafireorexplosion,theseverityofwhichdependsonthegaseousmixture.
Gascanbepresentinthegroundduetogaspipedamageorleakage,seweragepits,chemicalreactionsorleachingandtheaccumulationofairbornegasesinlowlyingareas.
Gascanbeintroducedbythetypeofworkbeingdoneincludingoxy-acetylenecuttingorchemicalgrouting.
Beforestartingworkandwhetherataconstructionsiteornot,youmustfindoutfromrelevantsourceswhatundergroundelectricalcablescouldcreateariskifcontactedordamaged.
Usethisinformationtoplantheworkandkeepawrittenrecordofthisinformationonsite.
Ifexcavatinginapublicplaceyoumustidentifyallelectricalcablespresent.
Forexample:ContactDialBeforeYouDig,afreeenquiryserviceforinformationonundergroundassetsanywhereinAustralia.
Thisorganisationwilltellyouifelectricalcablesownedbyoneormoreofitscontributorymembersarelocatedinthevicinityofyoursite.
Definitecablelocationscanbedeterminedbyspecialarrangementwiththeorganisations.
DialBeforeYouDigcanbecontactedby:phoning1100;orsubmittinganonlineenquiryontheDial-before-u-Digwebsite(www.
1100.
com.
au)Contactrelevantauthoritiesaboutallcablestheymayhaveplacedinthevicinityoftheexcavation.
Authoritiesmayinclude:electricitysupplyauthoritiescommunicationcompanieslocalgovernmentauthorities,andwaterauthorities.
Insomecases,customersofelectricitysupplyauthoritieshaveauthoritytoplaceelectricitycablesinpublicplaces.
Ifexcavatingonprivateproperty,contacttheowneroroccupierofthepremisesaboutburiedcablesbeforestartingwork.
Whenyouhaveidentifiedtheelectricalhazardsatyourworkplaceorsiteyoumustassesstherisks.
Ariskassessmentshouldconsider:toolsdamagingcablesorequipmente.
g.
whendigging,drivingequipmentorexcavatingwhereburiedelectricalcablesmaybepresent,andelectriccablesorequipmentbeingconcealedinaworklocation.
Awrittenriskassessmentshouldbeavailableonsiteforthedurationofthework.
Ifitisnotknownwhethercables,conduits,equipmentorsituationsformanelectricalsafetyrisk,youshouldassumetheriskexistsoryoushouldhaveaqualifiedpersoninvestigateandprovideareport.
Ifyoucannotdetermineexactlywhereanundergroundcableis,youshouldusepot-holingtocarefullyidentifythecablelocationandavoidaccidentalcontactwiththecable.
Pot-holinginvolvesdiggingwithhandtoolstoapre-determineddepthtoverifyifassetsexistintheimmediatelocation.
Youmayuseinsulatedhanddiggingtoolssuitableforthevoltageconcernedorusevacuumpumpinginthepot-holingprocesstolocatetheundergroundcable.
Wheretheriskisknown,forexamplewhereanelectricalconduitcontainsanenergisedlowvoltagecircuitandthereisarisktheconduitcouldbecutorscrapedwithapowertool,suitablecontrolmeasuresmustbeused.
Thebestwayofeliminatingthesehazardsistopreventpeople,plant,equipmentandmaterialsfromcomingcloseenoughtoenergisedundergroundelectriccablesfordirectcontactorflashovertooccur.
15Thismayincludehavingtheelectricitysupplytothesiteisolated.
Sometimeswhenmanycablesareco-locatedidentifyingtheisolationpointforaparticularcableisnoteasy.
AqualifiedpersonshouldbeengagedtodotheisolationworkoritmaybenecessarytohavetheElectricitySupplyAuthoritydisconnectthesupply.
De-energisingelectriclinesshouldbearrangedassoonaspossible.
Ifitisnotpossibletoeliminatetheriskthentheremainingriskcanbeminimisedby:usinginsulatedhanddiggingtoolsusingnon-poweredhandtoolshiringapersonwithrelevantelectricalqualificationstodothejobinstallingaphysicalbarriertopreventaccidentalcontactbetweenahand-heldtoolandundergroundelectriccablesensuringauthorisationisobtainedtocarryouttheworke.
g.
apermittoworktrainingworkerstoidentifythehazardsandperformtheworksafely,andusingPPElikeeffectivelyelectricallytestedinsulatinggloves,fireretardantclothingandeyeprotection.
IdentifyingcablesElectriclinesandcablesaremadeinmanydifferentways.
Notallcablesarecoveredwiththermoplasticsheath,althoughthesearecommonandoftenwellknown.
Electricalcableshavedifferentshapesandappearancesandcanbecircular,oval,flatorribbedincrosssection.
Thesecablescanalsobeanycolour.
Someelectriccablesconsistofacoppersheathwithcopperconductorswithinthesheathandamineralinsulationseparatingtheconductorsandsheath.
Thesecableslookandfeelidenticaltocopperwaterpipeorgaspipe.
Cablesofthiskindcouldalsobemadeofothermetalslikestainlesssteelandaluminium.
Electricalconduitsaremadeofdifferentmaterialsandconstructionvaries,forexample:Polyvinylchloride(PVC)rigidconduitfrom16mmor5/8inchoutsidediameter(OD)to150mmor6inchODisgenerallylightgrey;iftheconduitisheavydutyandacceptableforundergrounduse,itmaybeorange.
PVCconduitforprotectionagainsthightemperaturesisblackPVCflexibleconduitorflexiblehosePVCcorrugatedconduitscrewedmetalconduitgenerallymadefromgalvanizedsteelsplitmetalconduit,whileobsoleteitisstillwidelyusedandgenerallypaintedblackcabletrunking,rectangularorsquareincrosssectionandinawiderangeofsizes,madeofsteelorplastic,andcabletray,generallygalvanizedsteelinawiderangeofsizesandstyles.
MoreinformationonexcavationisintheCodeofPractice:Excavationwork.
EMERGENCYPLANANDRESCUEPROCEDURESPlanningworkinthevicinityofoverheadorundergroundelectriclinesshouldincludepossibleemergencysituationsandtherescueandevacuationofworkers.
Youmustensureanemergencyplanispreparedandmaintainedsoitiseffectiveforeachworkplaceorsite.
Thisisespeciallycriticalforworksitesatremotelocations.
MoreinformationisintheFactSheet:Emergencyplans.
16JULY2014EmergencyplanAriskassessmentshouldbedonecoveringpotentialemergencysituationsresultingfrommobileplantorattachedequipmentcontactingenergisedelectriclinesincluding:contactwithenergisedelectriclineswhentheelectricitytripscontactwiththeenergisedelectriclineswhentheelectricitydoesnottripafirestartingonthemobileplantorattachedequipmentagrassorbushfirestartingatyrecatchingfireortyrepyrolysisleadingtoatyreexplosion,oracombinationofanyoftheaboveAnemergencyplanshouldbedevelopedfromtheresultsoftheriskassessment,consultingwithworkers,theElectricitySupplyAuthorityorthepersonwithmanagementorcontroloftheelectriclineorpremisesandemergencyserviceproviders.
EmergencyrescueproceduresWherecontactismadewithanenergisedoverheadelectriclineoraflash-overoccursbetweenanenergisedoverheadelectriclineandacraneormobileplanttakethefollowingactions:Trytobreakthecraneormobileplant'scontactwiththeenergisedoverheadelectriclinebymovingthejibordrivingthemobileplantclearonlyifsafetodoso.
Ifitisnotpossibletobreakthecontactwiththeenergisedoverheadelectricline,theoperatorofthecraneormobileplantshouldremaininsidethecabinofthecraneorontheplantitem.
ContacttheElectricitySupplyAuthorityimmediatelytoisolateelectricitytotheenergisedoverheadelectricline.
Theoperatorshouldremaininplaceuntiltheelectricityhasbeenisolatedandthe'allclear'givenbytheElectricitySupplyAuthority.
Ifitisessentialtoleavethecabinortheoperator'spositionbecauseoffireorotherlifethreateningreason,thenjumpclearoftheequipment.
Donottouchtheequipmentandthegroundatthesametime.
Whenmovingawayfromtheequipment,theoperatorshouldhoporshuffleawayfromthemobileplantwithbothfeettogetheruntilatleast8metresfromthenearestpartofthecraneoroperatingplant.
Undernocircumstancesrunorwalkfromthecraneormobileplantasvoltagegradientspassingthroughthegroundmaycauseelectricitytopassthroughthebodyresultinginanelectricshock.
Warnallotherpeopleandmembersofthepublictokeep8metresclearfromthecraneormobileplant(seeFigure6).
Donottouchorallowotherpeopletotouchanypartofthecraneormobileplant.
Donotallowpeopletoapproachorre-enterthevehicleuntiltheElectricitySupplyAuthorityhasdeterminedthesitesafe.
Rememberelectricityflowsthroughtheground,soanelectricshockcouldbereceivedfromwalkingclosetothescene.
Ifthecraneormobileplantoperatorisimmobilised,ensuretheelectricitysupplyhasbeenisolatedandthesitemadesafebeforegivinghelp.
Unauthorised,unequippedpeopleshouldnotattempttorescueapersonreceivinganelectricshock.
Secondarydeathsoftenoccurbecauseothersgetelectrocutedtryingtohelpearliervictims.
Ifthecraneormobileplantoperatorisimmobilised,ensuretheelectricitysupplyhasbeenisolatedandtheworkplacehasbeenmadesafebeforegivinghelp.
17InspectingplantaftercontactwithelectriclinesWhenacraneormobileplanthasbeenincontactwithanenergisedoverheadelectricline,itshouldbecheckedbyacompetentpersonfordamagetothecomponentsofthecraneormobileplant.
Allrecommendedactionsaretobecompletedbeforethecraneormobileplantisreturnedtoservice.
Tyresoncranesandmobileplantthathavebeenincontactwithoverheadelectriclineswhereelectricalflash-overandcurrentflowoccursthroughtherubbertyresshouldbeconsideredasapotentialhazard.
Theserubbertyresmaycatchfireorhavethepotentialtoexplode.
Alesserknowndangeriswhencombustiontakesplacewithinthetyreandtherearenoapparentexternalsigns.
Whenexcessiveheatisdevelopedinorappliedtoatyreasinthecasefromcontactwithoverheadelectriclines,itcaninitiateaprocessknownaspyrolysis,whichisthedecompositionofasubstancebyheat.
Thiscangenerateabuild-upofflammablegasesandpressurewithinthetyre,whichmayruptureorexplode.
Vastamountsofenergycanbereleasedbyatyreexplosionoftenleadingtosignificantequipmentdamage,seriousinjuriesorfatalities.
Pyrolysisrelatedexplosionsareveryunpredictableandhavebeenknowntooccurimmediatelyorupto24hoursafterinitiation.
Anexplosioncanoccurwherenofireisvisible.
Thedangerareacanbeupto300metresfromthetyre.
Acraneormobileplantwithrubbertyresinvolvedinanincidentwherecontactismadewithoverheadelectriclineswhichresultsindischargesorflash-overofelectricalcurrentthroughthetyresshouldbeconsideredasapotentialhazard.
Ifanyonesuspectsthereisadangerofatyreexplosion,asinthecaseofamobilecranecontactingoverheadelectriclines,theprocedureshouldinclude:parkingthecraneinanisolationzone,withaminimum300metreradiusremovingeveryonefromtheareaandnotallowingentrytotheisolationzonefor24hours,andalertingfirefightingservices.
FIGURE6Affectedareasurroundingmobileplantwhenincontactwithanenergisedoverheadelectricline18GENERALGUIDEFORWORKINGINTHEVICINITYOFOVERHEADANDUNDERGROUNDELECTRICLINES|JULY2014APPENDIXAOTHERRELEVANTINFORMATIONThefollowinglistofpublishedtechnicalstandardsprovidesguidanceonlyandcompliancewiththemdoesnotguaranteecompliancewiththeWHSActandRegulationsinallinstances.
Thislistisnotexhaustive.
AustralianandNewZealandStandardsAS/NZS1768:2007:LightningprotectionAS2550.
5-2002:Cranes,hoistandwinches-SafeUsePart5:MobilecranesAS4024.
1-2006:SafetyofmachineryAS/NZS4576:1995:GuidelinesforscaffoldingAS61508-2011:Functionalsafetyofelectrical/electronic/programmableelectronicsafety-relatedsystemsInternationalStandardsISO13849-1:2006:Safetyofmachinery–Safetyrelatedpartsofcontrolsystems–Part1:GeneralprinciplesfordesignNationalElectricityNetworkSafetyGuidelinesENANENS04-2006:Nationalguidelinesforsafeapproachdistancestoelectricalandmechanicalapparatus–EnergyNetworksAssociation.