Operating cranes and plant

• Hazard identification
• Risk assessment
• Risk treatment measures - Part 4 of the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Working Near Exposed Live Parts (PDF File, 789.0 KB) caters for operating plant such as:
• cranes
• concrete placing booms
• elevating work platforms
• excavating equipment
• other plant that may come into contact with electric lines.

This advice applies while operating near electric lines such as:

• power distribution lines on poles
• transmission lines on towers
• overhead lines used for public transport like railways
• privately owned overhead lines. Part 3 and Appendix B of the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Working Near Exposed Live Parts (PDF File, 789.0 KB) outlines distance restrictions and other limitations placed on plant and operations near overhead lines.

The person operating the crane or plant must not perform work where:

• any part of the crane or plant
• a person is working in an elevating work platform
• any hand tools or other equipment being held by a person involved in the work
• the load being moved
• will intrude into the exclusion zone for the particular situation.

Appendix B of the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Working Near Exposed Live Parts (PDF File, 789.0 KB) details the exclusion zone for operating plant near electric lines.

Hazard identification

Before taking a crane or plant on to a worksite the operator or supervisor of the operation should make an inspection to identify potential hazards, which could include:

• the nature of the load to be moved and whether the load is conductive
• whether the load is being carried above the electric lines and could fall
• how the load is secured and whether any parts could move during the operation
• unexpected movement of the ground or surface under the crane or plant
• unexpected wind strength and direction and weather conditions.

A more complete listing of potential hazards is available in the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Working Near Exposed Live Parts (PDF File, 789.0 KB).

Risk assessment

If a hazard has been identified a written assessment should be conducted to determine the risk to a person entering into the exclusion zone.

Some factors that may be included in a risk assessment include:

• the nature of the load to be moved like the dimensions and if the load is conductive
• whether the load is being carried above the electric lines and may accidentally fall onto the live lines
• how the load is secured and if any part of the load may accidentally move during the operation and enter the exclusion zone.

For a more complete listing of risk factors, read Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Working Near Exposed Live Parts (PDF File, 789.0 KB).

Control measures

Where a hazard has been identified, a risk assessment must be conducted.

1. Eliminate the hazard which could involve:
   • de-energising the lines
   • rerouting the electric lines away from the crane or plant
   • replacing existing overhead lines with underground lines.
2. Substitute a less hazardous process or equipment which could mean finding another way of performing the work.
   • An example of this is using an insulated elevating work platform bucket which could prevent electric shocks from the exposed live part to ground. However the worker could still receive an electric shock by touching a current source with one hand and an earth point with the other. An insulated bucket can prevent some electrocutions but won’t eliminate the hazard completely.
3. Isolate the hazard which could involve:
   • erecting a physical barrier to prevent any part of the machine or the load being moved from entering the exclusion zone.
4. Redesign the equipment or work process which could involve:
   • using limiting devices to prevent the jib from entering the exclusion zone or warning the operator before the jib enters the exclusion zone
   • if a limiting device is used the interlocking or warning system should be designed to fail safe or at least meet category 4 reliability in accordance with AS 4024.1 Safeguarding of machinery - General principles (non-Queensland Government link) , or EN 954-1 – Safety of machinery, safety related parts of control systems
   • if the limiting device prevents movement, precautions should be taken for sudden stopping or the momentum of the load.
5. Use appropriate personal protective equipment which could involve:
   • use of effectively maintained insulating gloves by anyone who may come into contact with any conducting part of the crane, plant or load being moved.

To decide which control method to use, you should start at the top of the hierarchy and work your way down.

Read more about the risk management process in the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Risk Management (PDF File, 616.5 KB).

For more information on operating cranes and plant around overhead electric lines, refer to the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2010 - Working Near Exposed Live Parts (PDF File, 789.0 KB).