Work Near Overhead Powerlines — Safe Work Method Statement
Safe Work Method Statement for construction work, plant operation and deliveries near overhead powerlines, including approach distance planning, network operator notification, spotters, and emergency response to line contact.
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Work near overhead powerlines is work near energised electrical services, which is high risk construction work under the model WHS Regulations, so a SWMS is required. This template is for any trade working near overhead lines: builders, roofers, scaffolders, crane and truck operators, concreters with pump booms, tree workers and electricians. The people killed by overhead lines are usually not electricians; they are workers whose plant or materials came too close.
Electricity can jump (flash over) to plant, scaffolds, ladders or long materials that come close to a line without touching it, and higher voltage lines need greater distances. Contact energises the whole machine and the ground around it, so workers standing nearby or touching the plant can be killed while the operator in the cab survives. You cannot judge a line's voltage by eye, and you should not assume a line is insulated or dead. Bright coloured line markers ('tiger tails') make lines visible but do not insulate them.
Approach distances differ between states and territories and depend on the line voltage, the type of plant and whether a trained spotter is used. Check the current distances with your state or territory regulator and the network operator, write them into the SWMS, and do not use figures from another state. Where work cannot stay outside the approach distance, contact the network operator early: they can identify the line voltage, de-energise or relocate the line, or fit covers, and may issue a permit or require a trained observer.
Your SWMS must cover how lines are identified and marked, the exclusion zone and how it is controlled, which plant can work in the area and how, the spotter's role, and what to do if contact happens.
Customise this template with the line location and voltage confirmed by the network operator, the approach distances that apply in your state, the plant and materials involved, any network operator permit or outage reference, exclusion zone markings, the spotter's name and training, and the emergency contact for the network operator.
Personal Protective Equipment
High Risk Construction Work Types
- •Risk of a person falling more than 2 metres
- •Work on or near energised electrical installations or services
- •Work in an area with movement of powered mobile plant
Risk Assessment
1.Identify lines and plan the work
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lines not noticed or their voltage underestimated | Catastrophic | Walk the site and mark every overhead line, including service lines to the building, on the site plan. Contact the network operator to confirm line voltage and ask whether the line can be de-energised, relocated or covered for the duration of the work. Record the approach distances that apply in your state for that voltage and plant type in the SWMS. | Moderate | Site Supervisor / Principal Contractor |
| Work scheduled where approach distances cannot be maintained | Catastrophic | Re-plan the work so plant, scaffolds and materials stay outside the approach distance: change the crane position, use a smaller machine, deliver materials from another side, or erect scaffold with the line de-energised. Where the work must be inside the approach distance, obtain the network operator's written permission and comply with their conditions before starting. | Low | Site Supervisor / Principal Contractor |
2.Set up exclusion zones and markers
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant drifting into the line while operators concentrate on the load | Catastrophic | Mark the exclusion zone on the ground with barriers or flagging, and fit height limit bunting or goal posts at vehicle entries under the line. Fit visual line markers if the network operator allows, and brief everyone that markers do not insulate the line. Use crane and EWP slew and height limiters where fitted. | Low | Site Supervisor |
| Long materials (scaffold tube, pipes, ladders) contacting lines when carried or raised | High | Carry long items horizontally near lines. Use non-conductive ladders. Do not raise or stand up scaffold tubes, pipes, downpipes or roofing sheets within the exclusion zone. Store materials away from under the lines. | Low | All Workers |
3.Plant operation and deliveries near lines
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crane, tipper, concrete pump boom or EWP contacting the line | Catastrophic | Brief each operator and delivery driver on the line location and exclusion zone before they set up. A trained spotter, with no other duties, watches the plant and line and communicates directly with the operator by radio or agreed signals whenever plant could come within reach of the exclusion zone. Do not raise tipper bodies or booms under or near lines. Use tag lines made of non-conductive material. | Moderate | Plant Operator / Spotter |
| Ground workers electrocuted through plant or load contacting a line | Catastrophic | Keep ground workers clear of plant and loads while they are moving near lines. Dogmen and riggers do not touch the load or hook until it is clear of the exclusion zone and the spotter confirms it is safe. | Low | Spotter / Dogman |
4.Work at height near lines (roofing, scaffolding, building)
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workers on roofs or scaffolds contacting service lines or street mains | Catastrophic | Ask the network operator to disconnect or relocate the service line, or fit a cover, before roofing or scaffold work near it. Keep scaffolds outside the approach distance unless the network operator has approved the arrangement. Brief workers at height on the line location each day. | Low | Site Supervisor / Scaffolder |
5.Emergency response to line contact or fallen lines
| Hazard / Risk | Initial Risk | Control Measures | Residual Risk | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rescuers electrocuted approaching a person or plant in contact with a line | Catastrophic | If contact occurs, keep everyone at least 8 metres away from the plant, line and anything touching them. Call 000 and the network operator emergency number. The operator stays in the cab unless there is fire; if they must leave, they jump clear without touching the machine and the ground at the same time, land feet together and shuffle away. Do not attempt rescue until the network operator confirms the line is de-energised. | Moderate | All Workers / Site Supervisor |
| Contact not reported, so damaged lines or plant remain dangerous | High | Report every contact or flashover to the network operator, even if nothing seemed to happen, and do not use the plant until it is inspected. Notify the regulator where required as a dangerous incident. | Low | Site Supervisor |
Relevant Codes of Practice
Worker Acknowledgement
By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to comply with this Safe Work Method Statement.