ELECTRICAL HAZARD AWARENESS For OPERATORS of HIGH MACHINERY

Electricity is a vital source.

Electricity is a vital source of energy used daily by thousands of Australian households, businesses and work-sites. While the Australian electricity network is one of the safest and most reliable in the world, it isnot without its hazards.

Every year in Australia, workers die or suffer serious injuries from cominginto contact with live power lines - above and below the ground.
Workers who know about the dangers of electricity, however still find themselves in hazardous situations because they do not adopt safe work practices.

Do not let electricity be a risk to yourlife or your workmates.

To keep safe, follow three easy steps before commencing work: (and remmber that if you're an employer, you have a legal obligation to ensure that these steps are followed.)

IDENTIFY all electrical hazards

Electrical injuries can be avoided if potential hazards are identified before work commences on a property or site.

To help keep you safe when working near overhead power lines, firstly:

Look around and identify thelocation of overhead power lines;
Talk to the person in control of the owrk location about any owrk areas which may be hazardous;
Check maps from the local electricity distributor thatshow the location of overhead (and underground) power lines.
To help keep you safe when working near underground power lines, firstly:

Dial 1100 before you dig, an Australia-wide telephone service that advises the location of underground cables on work-sites and properties;
Check the work area for other forms of electrical equipment including street lights, padmount substations, phone boxes or traffic lights - all good indicators that underground power lines will be present; and
Look out for sand, plastic strips or specially marked bricks when excavating which signal the presence of underground powerlines.

ASSESS the risks of working close to them

Once any electrical hazards have been identified, the potential risks of working close to them need to be assessed.

If working near overhead power lines, it should be remembered:

On hot days power lines can sag, reducing clearance levels for equipment and machinery;
On windy days, power lines can sway, increasing the risk of contact if working close by;
Dim light at dusk or dawn, or on overcast days, can make power lines more difficlut to see;
The apparent height of power lines will vary depending upon the angle from which they are viewed;
Temporary protection, eg. 'tiger tails', are only designed for limited protection against momentary contact and only then for low voltage lines; and
You can still be injured without directly contacting an overhead power line, as electricity can arc across open spaces.
If working near underground power cables, it should be remembered:

Plans and maps identifying the location of underground cables can date quickly, and underground depths can alter after road upgrades or developments;
The depth of underground cables can vary from site to site, or even on the same property;
Underground cables should never be moved or relocated unless under the express authority of the organisation or person responsible for the cables;
Other service lines (eg. gas pipes, communication cables) can also be present on a dig;
New electrical cables are sometimes laid using old conduits;and
Various ethods of protecting undergroud cables may be utilise (eg. electric bricks, conduits, flat PVC barriers).

FIX any problems so it is safe to comence work

You should ensure that people at work, their equipment (tools and plant) or materials do not come within close proximity to overhead power lines unless:

A written risk assessment has been completed and a safe system of owrk implemented;and
The relevant safety precautions and worker training, including WorkCover Codes of Practice and the electricity distributor's requirements, have been implemented and complied with.
If working in close proximity to overhead and underground power lines is unavoidable and the risk assessment has been completed, the following should be considered to control the risk and ensure work safety:

Have the power switched off by the local electricty distributor. Consider all conductors live unless it is positively known they have been de-energised, isolated and earthed by the local electricity distributor.
If this is not posible:

Have temporary protection, eg 'tiger tail' covers, fitted to remind workers of the presence of low voltage power lines on a site;and
Where appropriate, provide ground barriers to warn workers of the presence of power lines.
Where the hazard cannot be removed or reduced, then establishing work rules or safe work procedures and practices may be the only option. All workers should be involved in developing these rules to protect their own health, safety and welfare. It is important that all workers be trained in 'the rules', prior to owrk commencing. These safe practices may include:

Nominating a trained power line 'observer' or 'spotter', who is not to perform any other tasks while they are observing the work being carried out to ensure safe distances are maintained;
Workers and their equipment should not approach overhead power lines any closer thanthe following:
Power lines with voltages up to 132,000 volts
eg a low and high voltage distribution and subtransmission lines, usually on poles
3m

Between 132,000 - 330,000 volts eg Subtransmission and transmission lines on either poles or towers - 6m

More than 330,000 volts eg transmission lines usually on towers - 8m


WHAT IF CONTACT WITH A POWER LINE DOES OCCUR?

By following the above steps, work sites and properties should be free of electrical hazards before work commences. In the event that contact with a power line occurs, remebering the following points could help save a life:
An attempt should be made to break the machinery's contact with thepower line.
If it is not possible to break the contact with the power line, operators of machinery should make no attempt to leave their cabin until the power has been switched off, and the 'all clear' has been given;
The local electricity distributor should be called immediately to switch off the power;
Bystanders should be kept at least 8 metres away from the machinery and damaged power lines;
If immediate evacuation of the cabin is essential (ie in case of fire), drivers should jump well clear, ensuring they do not touch the machinery and the ground at the same time, and then hop away from the machine, keeping both legs together at all times (it is recommended that operators of high machinery practice this technique on a regular basis;and
Untrained, unequipped persons should not attempt to rescue a person receiving an electric shock. All too often secondary deaths occur because others get electrocuted tryingtohelp earlier victims.
ELECTRICITY AND POWER LINES ARE A NECESSARY PART OF WORKING LIFE

Electricity and power lines are a necesary part of working life, however hazards can be averted.

While every situation is different, being aware of the hazards posed by power lines and taking necessary safety precautions can help save lives - including your own.

For further information onhow to keep your work place or property 'power safe', please call your local electricity distributor or WorkCover NSW.

Underground cable Locations - 1100
Energy Australia - general - 131525
Energy Australia - emergencies - 131388
Integral Energy - general - 131081
Integral Energy - emergencies - 131003
NorthPower - 132080
Great Southern Energy - 132356
Country Energy - general - 132795
Contryu Energy - emergencies - 132830
Australian Inland Energy and Water - 1300 650 477
WorkCover NSW - 131050
The Ministry of Energy and Utilities - 02 9901 8888

reproduced with permission from Country Energy