Look up and Live - Ergon Energy

Look up and Live
Always take care when operating around overhead powerlines.
Working safely around
overhead and underground
powerlines
What should I do before
commencing any work at
a work site?
• Talk to the person in control of the
work site about any work areas which
may be hazardous.
• Be aware of electrical safety legislation
relating to working around electricity.
Obtain a copy of the Code of Practice for
Working Near Exposed Live Parts. Ensure
all workers are familiar with the relevant
sections for work being undertaken.
• Know the location of powerlines on the
worksite and their proximity to your work.
• Complete a hazard assessment for
the worksite.
• Contact Ergon Energy for safety advice
on working around electrical parts.
• Implement appropriate control measures.
• Be aware of exclusion zones around
powerlines.
NO GO ZONE
ANYWHERE ABOVE
POWERLINES AND WITHIN
3 M EACH SIDE
3M
SPOTTER REQUIRED
BETWEEN 3 - 6.4M
OF POWERLINES
More information
Our Community Safety Team is available to discuss any questions
relating to electrical safety. Call 1300 736 349.
Customer Service
13 10 46
7.00am - 6.30pm Monday to Friday
ergon.com.au
3M
Ergon Energy Corporation Limited ABN 50 087 646 062
3M
Faults only
13 22 96
24 hours a day,
7 days a week
Fascias – point of attachment
• Guttering and roofing refurbishments
or replacements could contact the
service wire.
• Take care when working around mains
boxes or the point of attachment to
a premise.
• Be aware of powerlines when moving
equipment and ladders around the
property. This includes cleaning
and painting.
At risk areas are overhead and
underground powerlines and the
point of attachment at the facia.
Correct work practice near point of attachment on fascia
Life-Threatening
Emergencies only
Triple Zero (000) or 13 16 70
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Unsafe practice near point of attachment on fascia

Look up and Live
Always take care when operating around overhead powerlines.
Overhead powerlines
• Overhead high voltage and low voltage
powerlines can run adjacent or
through the property.
• Contact Ergon Energy for safety advice
on working around electrical parts.
Underground powerlines
• Talk to the person in control of the
worksite about any work areas where
underground cable may be installed.
• Know where underground cables are.
Call Dial Before You Dig on 1100 or
request plans at www.1100.com.au
What are the exclusion zones when working
near powerlines?
Workers and their equipment should not approach overhead powerlines any
closer than the following:
Nominal phase to
phase voltage (kV)
(Exposed unless
otherwise
specified)
Consultation &
insulation verified
by an authorised
person for the
electric line
Low voltage (LV)
with consultation
LV without
consultation
LV & up to 33 with
consultation
LV & up to
33 without
consultation
Untrained
Persons
No
exclusion
zone
prescribed
1000
3000
2000
3000
These exclusion zones can be reduced if the worker has been trained and
approved as an “Authorised Person”.
Contact Ergon Energy for information about becoming an “Authorised Person”.
Customer Service
13 10 46
7.00am - 6.30pm Monday to Friday
ergon.com.au
Ergon Energy Corporation Limited ABN 50 087 646 062
Untrained Persons
Operation
of
operating
plant
Operation
of vehicle
1000 300
3000
600
Faults only
13 22 96
24 hours a day,
7 days a week
Pillar box for underground subdivision
Instructed
Persons
(IP) &
Authorised
Persons
(AP)
No
exclusion
zone
prescribed
No
exclusion
zone
prescribed
Instructed Persons (IP) &
Authorised Persons (AP)
Operation of operating
plant, with safety
observer or another
safe system
Un-insulated Insulated
-
1000
No
exclusion
zone
prescribed
No
exclusion
zone
prescribed
Operation
of vehicle
No
contact
600
900 700 1200 700 700
Life-Threatening
Emergencies only
Triple Zero (000) or 13 16 70
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Safety first
• Know the location of
powerlines on the worksite.
• Ensure safety clearances are
maintained.
• You can still be injured
without directly contacting
overhead powerlines, as
electricity can arc across
open spaces.
• Don’t “do it yourself”
use a licensed electrical
contractor. Their knowledge
and experience is your
best protection.
• A Restricted Electrical
Licence does not allow
installation work to be
performed.
• Always ensure extension
cords are well maintained
and tested and tagged.
• Use appropriate tools for the
job eg. battery operated tools
in a ceiling space.
• Always check for electrical
cables before drilling into
walls, floors and ceilings.
Contacting a concealed
electrical cable with a
metal drill bit can be
extremely dangerous.
• Never remove covers on
electrical articles.
More information
Our Community Safety Team is
available to discuss any questions
relating to electrical safety.
Call 1300 736 349.