SafeWork Australia: A guide for working in the vicinity of powerlines
Look up and Live
Working around and under powerlines can be dangerous. Look Up and Live can help ensure you and your team stay safe.
Working near overhead power lines
Always use the free Look up and Live to plan and raise awareness of safe working requirements when working near or under powerlines.
Use it before going onsite to check the location of powerlines.
Then use it as a worksite planning tool to provide powerline safety at your fingertips, including seeking specific information from Endeavour Energy on minimising the risk of contact while working near the electricity network.
Once onsite, there are several ways to identify the location of electricity infrastructure and preventative steps you can follow to keep your workers and contractors safe.
You can also download the free Look Up and Live app from the Google Play store or the Apple app store.
Simple tips and steps to follow
- Pre-plan your job by consulting with us. We provide advice to anyone working near our overhead network. Simply complete a 'General or safety advice' request through our connections portal.
- Develop site plans that identify the location of electrical infrastructure, then communicate and share these plans with your staff.
- Designate marked out travel paths around the site, away from overhead powerlines. Use them for moving ladders or long objects, as well as for operating tip trucks, elevated platforms, drilling or excavating machinery, backhoes etc.
- Use visual indicators such as tiger tails, signage, spray paint or bunting to highlight the presence of overhead powerlines, underground cables and electrical infrastructure.
- Be aware that tiger tails and covers are not insulators, and their presence does not mean you’re safe to work closer to powerlines. They simply provide a visual indicator to the presence of powerlines and don’t actually make powerlines safe to touch.
- Use range-limiting devices on excavators and cranes to help maintain clearances from powerlines.
- Assign an observer who is dedicated to monitoring and ensuring that safe clearances are maintained between operating machinery and powerlines.
- Avoid contact with the point of attachment (where power comes into a building). If you cannot maintain the required clearances, arrange for a power outage by calling Endeavour Energy on 131 003.
Immediately report all contact with powerlines to us on 131 003.
Be power smart on the farm
Always check for overhead powerlines before operating agricultural machinery, by having a spotter and by using tools like the Look Up and Live app. Plan your routes and ensure you always maintain a safe distance.
Also remember to store tall equipment and silos, as well as and materials like hay, away from powerlines.
Find further information
More information about safe work practices and safety clearances from overhead powerlines and underground cables is available in the following resources and codes of practices.
