Working near powerlines can be fatal. Touching them or straying into the exclusion zone around them can result in a serious electric shock.

If you must work near powerlines, you should follow these steps:

1. Develop a safe system of work before you start
   • Develop a safe system that ensures a safe distance from powerlines is maintained (stay outside the exclusion zone)
   • Identify overhead and underground powerlines by consulting maps and/or talking to the property owner and electrical entity. For Ergon Energy and Energex visit lookupandlive.com.au for your free powerline safety plan.
   • Conduct a site specific risk assessment – think about:
     • the type of plant and equipment/tools used
     • site and weather conditions
     • type of work being done
     • set-up and pack-up procedures.
   • Put risk controls in place – the most effective way of controlling the risk is to de-energise the line for the duration of work where there is a risk of contact.
2. Keep your workers and contractors informed about electrical safety
   • Induct and train your workers and contractors in safe work procedures, emergency procedures, and exclusion zones (Figure 1).
   • Carefully plan the tasks to be completed near powerlines and work away from them whenever possible, not underneath them.
   • Show your workers the safe distance from a powerline by marking it on the ground.
   • Ensure people are aware that powerlines sag or sway in hot or windy weather (Figure 2).
3. Avoid going into exclusion zones
   • Make powerlines and poles visible. Ask your electrical entity for permission to paint power poles and/or have them install markers or flags on the powerlines.
   • Plan your work so tree branches do not fall across powerlines.
   • Where possible, use insulated or non-conductive tools and equipment.
   • Operators should use a safety observer carrying out work near powerlines.
   • Follow the safety advice you obtain from your electrical entity.

Figure 1: Powerline exclusion zones	Figure 2: Powerlines sag or sway in hot or windy weather

Industry specific guides for working near powerlines

• Working safely as an arborist near powerlines(PDF, 1360.33 KB)
• Working safely on billboards near powerlines(PDF, 1416.79 KB)
• Working safely near powerlines in the rural industry(PDF, 1461.2 KB)
• Working safely near powerlines in the construction industry(PDF, 552.62 KB)
• Working safely near powerlines(PDF, 785.77 KB)

More information

• Electrical exclusion zones film
• Ergon Energy
• Energex
• Powerlink
• Dial Before You Dig
• Look up and Live map - displays the Energex and Ergon Energy electricity networks