Working with Overhead Power Lines
Posted on 30th September 2022 at 11:05
The HSE states that “Accidental contact with live overhead power lines kills people and causes many serious injuries every year. People are also harmed when a person or object gets too close to a line and a flashover occurs. Work involving high vehicles or long equipment is particularly high risk”.
It is therefore important to implement necessary safety precautions as identified on risk assessments, even when working near power lines for a short period of time.
Where it has been identified that power lines are within or immediately next to a site or across any access routes, contact is made with owners of the lines to discuss safety precautions. It may be necessary that power lines need to be diverted or made dead.
Risks from power lines can be eliminated by:
Avoidance – can work be undertaken away from power lines? The HSE provides the following advise
“Make sure materials (such as bales or spoil) are not placed near overhead lines, and
temporary structures (such as polytunnels) are erected outside safe clearance distances”.
Diversion – make arrangements for overhead lines to be diverted away, made dead or isolated before
work begins. Ensure that work is planned and time is given to arrange diversion of power
lines.
If work is being carried out near power lines barriers should be assembled, at the required clearance distance away, to prevent access under the power lines. Passageways should be designated if there is a requirement to pass underneath power lines. Passageways should be restricted and at right angles (if possible) for the safe crossing of plant.
The HSE states “if work beneath live overhead power lines cannot be avoided, barriers, goal posts and warning notices should be provided. Where field work is taking place it may be impractical to erect barriers and goal posts around the overhead lines - these are more appropriate for use at gateways, on tracks and at access points to farm yards”.
What Can We Learn From This? – Toolbox Talk Details
• Safety precautions must be set out when working around power lines
• Planning and control measures should be concise and effective
• Ensure all vehicles and workers near power lines are suitably protected
If you require any further information on our Health and Safety services please click here alternatively click on tags below for further reading.
All our blogs are written by our team of expert consultants, to speak with one our consultants you can fill out the form below, email us at info@auxil.co.uk or telephone 0330 088 4352.
Tagged as: Auxil Ltd, Construction Safety, Construction safety training, Health and Safety, Risk Assessment control measures, Site Safety
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