Machinery contacting overhead powerlines

Machinery contacting overhead powerlines has already resulted in two fatalities and injuries to others in two separate incidents this year.

These incidents are currently under investigation, however initial findings indicate both incidents involved parts of mobile cranes contacting high voltage powerlines while transporting containers.

The deceased persons from both incidents received electric shocks from contact with the containers as they were being moved.

The Electrical Safety Office reminds workers and the general public to take extra care when machinery is being operated near powerlines. Follow these fundamental safety principles when working near powerlines:

• Always treat powerlines as live and hazardous.
• Identify the location of powerlines before starting work. If there is any risk of injury to yourself or others use appropriate risk treatment measures.
• You are not protected from an electrical incident just because you are not touching powerlines. The size of the gap electricity can jump (the arcing distance) increases with the voltage -  the higher the voltage, the bigger the arcing distance.
• Maintain exclusion zone distances from powerlines.
• Seek safety advice from the person in control of the overhead power line (Ergon, Energex, Powerlink, Country Energy etc) if a risk assessment indicates that there is a risk of machinery coming into direct contact with or entering the exclusion zone of the powerline.

For more details on exclusion zones, see Part 4 and Schedule 2 of the Electrical Safety Regulation 2002  or the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 – Working Near Exposed Live Parts.

Look up and live - powerline voltages are lethal

Peter Lamont
Executive Director
Electrical Safety Office