Essential guide: Our Critical Risk expectations
The word MUST means it is a mandatory requirement. Where you see the words YOUR CALL it means you are strongly advised to do this, but you can use your judgement.
Identification of overhead services
All overhead services at or near the work location MUST be identified prior to any work commencing.
Where work needs to be undertaken near live overhead electric lines or services, the safest option is to eliminate the risk of electric shock by having the electricity supply isolated prior to work starting.
All asset owners MUST be consulted prior to any isolation or de-energisation of service.
​When the isolation of the overhead service is not possible, the work party MUST apply a minimum approach distance (MAD)*
The aim of the MAD rules is to keep a person’s body, their tools, and equipment a safe distance from the overhead line.
Remember, electricity can ‘jump’ to nearby conductors and that may include you!
* MADs are specified by law and are described in detail in the New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for Electrical Safe Distances
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Notifications
Asset owners MUST be consulted when work Is being undertaken within the minimum approach distance (MAD) of overhead services.
A Close Approach Consent MUST be obtained if within the distances below.
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Cables, Gas transmission or high-pressure pipelines: 2 metres or more
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Overhead powerlines: 4 metres or more
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Pole or support stays: 5 metres or more
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Transmission tower: 12 metres or more
Only trained and competent personnel are permitted to work within the minimum approach distance.
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Mobile plant near conductors operation
Mobile plant working near overhead electrical lines can damage the line and be hazardous for the plant operator, the mobile plant and people in the vicinity.
The distance between any live overhead electric line and any mobile plant or load MUST be at least 4 metres.
Mobile plant MUST not be operated or carry any load above the conductors of any overhead electric line. Where this is a requirement, written consent from the asset owner MUST be obtained.
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Controls that may be implemented
When in close proximity of services, Minimum Approach Distances (MADs) MUST be applied. Only trained and competent personnel are to work in close proximity or within MADs.
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Consider plant or machinery that can't practically reach conductors or has been fitted with slowing or limiting devices.
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Spotters MUST be used when working in close proximity or within MADs and MUST have a clear line of sight of services. Spotters and plant operators MUST use RT's where possible to ensure clear communication.
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Hand signals MUST be understood by the spotter and the plant operator.
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Consider obtaining As Built drawings or have all heights surveyed prior to any work.
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Hazard boards, flags, bunting, barriers, and signage MUST be in place.
Appropriate procedures such as SOP/JSEA MUST be developed and used when working around overhead services.
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The work party MUST be informed of any hazards and restrictions prior to the start of any work.
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Designated loading/unloading areas MUST be clear of services.
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You MUST undertake daily checks to ensure insulation, enclosures, barriers, and tags are in place.
Ask yourself has anything changed?
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Aerial drones
When operating a drone, you MUST be a minimum of 12 metres away from any lines at all times.
If you are operating an aerial drone that has accidentally come into contact with a power line, tower, substation, or other electrical site, do not attempt to retrieve the vehicle.
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Protection of overhead services
All essential overhead services MUST be protected from damage while work Is being undertaken.
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Where there is a risk of a collision with mobile plant, services on the ground MUST be physically protected through the use of:
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enclosures
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cable trays
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bollards.
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Services on the ground MUST have visual identifiers to alert workers of their location.
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tapes
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locations marked on walls
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accurate temporary or as built plans.
Exclusion zones MUST be established when temporary protection is required.
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Isolation of services
Where possible, essential services MUST be isolated prior to undertaking work that is in close proximity to those services. This includes all overhead essential services that may be impacted by the work.
All asset owners MUST be consulted prior to any isolation or de-energisation of service.
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