powerline safety
A transmission line is a powerline capable of carrying high voltages to support movement of electricity over long distances. We partner with Ergon and Energex to promote powerline safety and the Look Up and Live message.
Always take care and assume overhead powerlines are live and potentially dangerous.
Planning is crucial to working safely around powerlines. Before you begin work, we encourage you to PLAN, LOOK and ACT. Simple actions can lead to safer outcomes.
PLAN
- Check for overhead and underground powerlines before starting work.
- Use Look Up and Live and Before You Dig Australia to locate powerlines, identify the owner, and determine exclusion zones (Figure 1).
- If your work could enter an exclusion zone, conduct a risk assessment, and contact the powerline owner for safety advice before you start.
LOOK
- Look up, look around and look out for powerlines.
- Treat all powerlines as energised.
- Stay clear of damaged, sagging or fallen powerlines.
ACT
- Implement effective controls to prevent people, vehicles, machinery and equipment entering exclusion zones (e.g. machinery limiters, designated work areas in combination with safety observers).
- Follow your risk assessment and any safety advice provided by the powerline owner.
- If your vehicle or machine contacts a powerline, STAY - CALL - WAIT (Figure 2).
If your work could enter the exclusion zone (refer to Figure 1) of a Powerlink overhead powerline, you’ll need to obtain written safety advice from us before you start, by calling 1800 635 369.
Remember, all machinery operators and workers working near powerlines should be aware of their safety obligations under the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and adopt safe work practices in accordance with the Electrical Safety Code of Practice 2020 – Working near overhead and underground electric lines.