4. Electrical Safety

4.C Maintain regulated safe approach distances when working near Live Overhead Line Equipment (OHLE), underground services or live electrical parts

RISK – Contact live overhead powerlines

Refer to AS2550.1 and the relevant State Codes of practice for working near overhead and underground electric lines.

 

 

 

Safe approach distances are also called safe operating distances, working distances, separation distances and exclusion zones in different states.

 

 

Within safe approach distances, there are authorised, instructed or spotter zones, and no-go zones. Trained and competent safety observers or spotters are required when working close to overhead lines.

Competency requirements differ between States.

 

 

Approach distances apply to:

  • Any part of a crane or item of mobile plant
  • Driving or operating a vehicle
  • Traction overhead wiring for trains and trams
  • Any load being moved, including the slings, chains and other lifting gear
  • Any person working at heights e.g. from an MEWP, scaffold or other structure
  • Metallic materials including scaffolding, roofing, ladders and pipes
  • Non-conductive materials including timber, PVC pipes and guttering
  • Any hand tools, hand control lines, equipment or other material held by a person

 

General Guide for working in the vicinity for of overhead and underground electric lines:

www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au 

 

 

Safe approach distances need to consider sag or swing of powerlines. Allowances must be made for:

  • Sag and swing of overhead powerlines
  • Inadvertent movement of excavation machinery and cranes
  • Personnel and materials

 

Exclusion Zones – Working safely near powerlines. www.worksafe.qld.gov.au

 

 

Determining OHLE safe approach distances

You need to determine what approach distances and work zones apply for working in close proximity to OHLE in the area.

Safe approach distances depend on:

  • The voltage of the service
  • Whether the line is insulated or bare
  • The level of competence, training and authorisation of the people carrying out the work

Safe approach distances and work zones vary in each State and Territory for people, plant and vehicles.

For further information, contact your State or Territory Electrical Supply Authority or Electricity Regulator.

 

 

OHLE Work Zones

There are three work zones

  • Zone C – the no-go zone closest to OHLE where a permit to work from the asset owner is required
  • Zone B - Surrounds the OHLE and is further away than zone C. Access to this area is permitted for authorised persons only with recognised training in overhead line electrical hazards
  • Zone A - Furthest away from the OHLE and is for unauthorised persons who have not received training in overhead line electrical hazards.

Guide for Operating Crane and Mobile Plant Near Overhead Electric Lines. www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au

 

 

Requirements when working in zones B or C

  • A written safe system of work or SWMS
  • Consultation with asset owners and electricity authorities
  • Access permits if the asset owner requires this
  • Written risk assessments
  • Trained and authorised personnel to act as spotters.

 

 

Underground cables

Before any excavation, identify all underground cables and hazards in the area:

  • Dial before you dig service for public areas
  • Supply authorities including electrical, telecommunications, local government, water and gas authorities
  • Asset owners if on private land

 

 

Requirements when working near underground cables

  • Determine if underground services are near the worksite
  • A written hazard and risk assessment of the work considering damage to services by digging tools and possible concealment of services
  • Consultation with asset owners and electricity authorities

 

 

Related GMRs

1.2 Physically identify the location of all overhead services and structures and implement controls to prevent damage

1.D Use a spotter when there is potential for interaction between operating plant, vehicles, people, structures and/or other hazards

2.2 Obtain all relevant service drawings and identify service that may impact the planned excavation

2.5 Communicate the location of all services (isolated or live) within 5m of the excavation area with workers and explain the permit conditions

2.C Only enter the safe approach distance of a service if authorised by the relevant utility provider / asset owner

3.6 Conduct a site inspection to visually confirm there are no fundamental changes or additional hazards posing a risk to the lift which were not previously identified in the lift plans

4.A Treat all exposed electrical parts and conductors, including earthing conductors, as live until proven otherwise

 

Related Procedures / Forms

Electrical Safety Procedure

Plant and Equipment Procedure


© John Holland Pty Ltd.

GMRs

  • Home
  • About the GMRs & this site
    • What are the GMRs?
    • What do the GMRs include?
    • Implementing the GMRs
    • Our GMR Videos
  • 1. Traffic, Plant & People
    • 1.1 Separating vehicles
    • 1.2 Overhead services and structures
    • 1.3 Pedestrian Separation
    • 1.4 Working in Operating Zones
    • 1.5 Fit for purpose plant
    • 1.6 Plant Modification
    • 1.A Licence and Verification
    • 1.B Road and rail rules
    • 1.C Seating position & seat-belts
    • 1.D Spotters
    • 1.E Operating zone permissions
    • 1.F Positioning plant
  • 2. Excavation & Trenching
    • 2.1 Excavation design
    • 2.2 Services and Structural Drawings
    • 2.3 Zone of Influence
    • 2.4 Barricading and Signage
    • 2.5 Services within 5m
    • 2.6 Tunnelling Controls
    • 2.A Positive Service Location
    • 2.B Access requirements
    • 2.C Safe Approach Distances
    • 2.D Excavation inspections
    • 2.E Preventing unauthorised access
  • 3. Lifting Operations
    • 3.1 Lift Competencies
    • 3.2 Lift Designer
    • 3.3 Ground Bearing Capacities
    • 3.4 Inspections & Maintenance
    • 3.5 Mobile plant load limits
    • 3.6 Lifting site inspection
    • 3.A Pre-Start Inspections
    • 3.B Mobile Plant used for lift
    • 3.C Exclusion zones
    • 3.D Suspended Loads
    • 3.E Competent Person(s)
  • 4. Electrical Safety
    • 4.1 Licences for Electrical Work
    • 4.2 Live electrical systems
    • 4.3 Safe System of Work
    • 4.4 Protective devices
    • 4.A Treat as Live
    • 4.B Legislative Requirements
    • 4.C Safe working distance
    • 4.D Electrical Supply Panels
  • 5. Work at Height
    • 5.1 Fall from height
    • 5.2 Falling objects
    • 5.3 Penetrations, shafts & risers
    • 5.4 EWP Protection Devices
    • 5.5 Grid Mesh / Chequer Plates
    • 5.A Barricades and exclusion zones
    • 5.B Overloading & adjustments
    • 5.C Harnesses
    • 5.D Installing roof sheeting
    • 5.E WAH Training
    • 5.F Accessing vehicles
  • 6. Wellbeing
    • 6.1 Wellbeing Risk Management
    • 6.2 Work rosters & Wellbeing programs
    • 6.3 Facility maintenance
    • 6.4 Occupational Hygiene
    • 6.5 AOD monitoring
    • 6.6 Wellbeing Champions
    • 6.A Be fit for work
    • 6.B Notify if unfit
    • 6.C Supportive work environment
    • 6.D Wellbeing Training
    • 6.E Know your Champions
    • 6.F Wellbeing Events
  • 7. Temporary Works
    • 7.1 Temporary Works Coordinator
    • 7.2 Temporary Works register
    • 7.3 TW Competencies
    • 7.4 Design Controls
    • 7.5 Temporary Work Protection
    • 7.6 Communication
    • 7.A Installation and Removal
    • 7.B Site validation
    • 7.C Working Load Limits
    • 7.D Inspection Schedule
    • 7.E Alterations
  • 8. Isolation
    • 8.1 Identifying Energy Sources
    • 8.2 Identifying Risks
    • 8.3 Isolations competencies
    • 8.4 Isolation Points
    • 8.5 Identifying Stored Energy
    • 8.A Test before touch
    • 8.B Releasing Stored Energy
    • 8.C Reviewing Isolation Status
    • 8.D Monitoring Isolation Controls
    • 8.E Re-instate guards
    • 8.F Personal Danger Tags/Locks
  • 9. Environmental Management
    • 9.1 Identifying risks
    • 9.2 Approvals/Licences/Permits
    • 9.3 Implementing Controls
    • 9.4 Identifying heritage, flora and fauna
    • 9.5 Minimising Resource Use
    • 9.6 Spoil and waste classification
    • 9.A Sensitive areas & boundaries
    • 9.B Dust, noise & vibration
    • 9.C Waste & hazardous substances
    • 9.D Maintaining / reviewing controls
    • 9.E Environmental findings
    • 9.F Water discharge
  • 10. Work on Rail
    • 10.1 Rail Competencies
    • 10.2 Qualified worker responsibilities
    • 10.3 Worksite Protection Risk Assessment
    • 10.4 Worksite Protection Plan
    • 10.5 Implement controls
    • 10.A Rail compliant PPE
    • 10.B Pre-work brief
    • 10.C Confirm protection controls
    • 10.D Network rules & safety instructions
    • 10.E Review Worksite Protection Plan
    • 10.F Rail certification
  • Knowledge Requirements
  • Glossary