Power lines

Every year workers are electrocuted or sustain life changing injuries due to mobile plant and equipment inadvertently coming into contact with live electrical powerlines.

Many of these incidents had the same underlying cause where plant operators:

  • failed to see the powerlines (or realise the danger), or
  • did not maintain a safe approach distance.

If you are a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you must make sure that no person, plant or thing comes within an unsafe distance of any overhead or underground electric line, so far as it is reasonably practicable.

If it is not reasonably practicable to ensure the safe distance of a person, plant or thing from an overhead or underground electric line, you must make sure that:

  • a risk assessment is conducted in relation to the proposed work
  • the control measures implemented are consistent with the risk assessment and any requirements of the electricity supply authority responsible for the electric line.

Powerlines on farms

Where it is not reasonably practical to eliminate mobile plant and equipment operating near live electrical powerlines on your farm, ensure that:

  • the minimum ground clearance has been identified for all overhead powerlines where there is a risk of contact (taking also into consideration sag in hot weather and sway in high winds)
  • all plant operators are aware of the location of live electrical powerlines on and around your farm
  • all plant operators are aware of the height of their plant in both raised and lowered positions, e.g. spray booms, transportable grain augers, tipper trucks etc
  • all plant operators know what to do if their plant comes in contact with live powerlines.

To further assist mobile plant and low-flying aircraft operators in always maintaining minimum approach distances to powerlines, consider installing 3D rotating aerial powerline markers and high visibility telegraph pole/electrical asset wraps to increase the visibility of the powerlines.

3D rotating aerial markers feature brightly coloured vanes that rotate in the breeze to further aid in visually identifying powerlines from any direction. Built in reflectors are often included for low-light or nighttime visibility. They are suitable for use in agricultural situations where there is a risk of contact with powerlines when operating agricultural mobile plant and equipment for harvesting, spraying, loading/unloading live-stock and grain.

Please note: 3D rotating markers and telegraph pole/electrical asset wraps should never be solely relied on as the only control measure to prevent the inadvertent contact with overhead power lines.

$1000 NSW small business rebate for eligible farmers

SafeWork NSW is offering up to $1000 in safety rebates to eligible small business in NSW to purchase and install 3D rotating aerial markers and/or high visibility telegraph pole/electrical asset wraps. To check your eligibility please go to NSW.gov.au website.

The work near overhead power lines code of practice has more information on working safely around power lines including guidance on safe working distances.

Further information

Safe Work Australia also has guidance material on working in the vicinity of overhead and underground electric lines to help you manage the risks.

"Look up and live" in black font on a yellow background. Below the text, an illustration of an electrical wire is display

For information on overhead powerlines and exclusion zones, visit Look up and Live. You can see on an interactive geospatial map the network for Ausgrid, TransGrid, Endeavour, Essential, Energex, Ergon, Powerlink and Jemena. The Look up and live App is also available from Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Look up and live education and awareness videos:

In the event of a power line incident you must notify SafeWork NSW by calling 13 10 50.

You can report unsafe work near power lines to SafeWork NSW by:

"Speak up save lives" in black font on a white background, To the left, a yellow diagonal sign features a solid black hand in a stop gesture.

Striking underground assets

Striking underground assets may cause disruption of critical services to thousands of people. Incidents may also arise when damage to these underground assets is unreported and not repaired.

The guide to working near underground assets has more detailed information for PCBUs, workers, and other parties involved in construction work near underground assets.

'If you don’t know, don’t dig'

When a live cable is struck by a machine or the point of a tool, it can cause hazardous fires, fumes or explosions resulting in serious injuries including burns, electric shock or death.

This safety video provides essential information to all workers and businesses that work around underground electrical power.

Don't know, don't dig safety video.

Always remember “If you don’t know, don’t dig”.

Further information

Safe Work Australia also has guidance material on working in the vicinity of overhead and underground electric lines to help you manage the risks

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