Product Overview

Summary: This Overhead Line Safety Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, step-by-step framework for working in the vicinity of overhead power and communication lines. It helps Australian businesses control electrical, plant and height-related risks, ensuring workers plan, set up and complete tasks safely while meeting WHS obligations and network operator requirements.

Working near overhead power lines is one of the most serious and misunderstood risks on Australian worksites. Contact with or even proximity to live lines can result in fatal electric shock, arcing, fires, and major plant damage, often occurring during routine tasks such as tipping loads, operating cranes, pruning trees or moving scaffolds. This Overhead Line Safety Safe Operating Procedure establishes a structured, repeatable method for identifying overhead services, planning work around them, and implementing robust exclusion zones and control measures before any plant or personnel move into the area.

The SOP translates WHS legislation, electrical safety rules and network operator guidance into practical on-site steps for supervisors, operators and contractors. It covers pre-start planning, consultation with electricity supply authorities, setting and marking no-go and spotter zones, safe use of plant and equipment, emergency response to line contact, and documentation requirements. By implementing this procedure, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of electrocution and plant strikes, demonstrate due diligence to regulators and clients, and embed a consistent overhead line safety culture across multiple crews and projects.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of electrocution, arcing incidents and plant contact with overhead power lines.
• Ensure compliance with WHS legislation, electrical safety regulations and electricity network operator requirements.
• Standardise planning and permitting processes for any work near overhead lines across all sites and contractors.
• Improve on-site decision-making through clear exclusion zone rules, spotter requirements and escalation triggers.
• Demonstrate documented due diligence to clients, principal contractors and regulators following an incident or audit.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Construction Managers
• Civil and Roadworks Supervisors
• Plant Operators (cranes, EWPs, excavators, tip trucks)
• Electricians and Linesworkers
• Traffic Management Supervisors
• WHS Managers and Coordinators
• Utilities and Infrastructure Project Managers
• Facilities and Maintenance Managers
• Landscaping and Vegetation Management Supervisors

Hazards Addressed

• Electric shock and electrocution from direct contact with live overhead power lines
• Electric arcing and flashover from plant or loads encroaching on exclusion zones
• Fire and explosion resulting from line contact or arcing
• Plant rollover or structural failure following entanglement with overhead lines
• Falls from height during work on or near elevated structures under lines
• Struck-by incidents from uncontrolled plant movement when operators react to line contact
• Secondary injuries during emergency response or attempted rescue from energised plant
• Damage to electrical infrastructure resulting in power outages and public safety risks

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations (including no-go zones and exclusion distances)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, supervisors, operators, electrical spotters)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Network Requirements
• 5.0 Pre-Start Planning and Overhead Service Identification
• 6.0 Risk Assessment and Job Safety Analysis (JSA/SWMS) Requirements
• 7.0 Consultation with Electricity Supply Authorities and Permit Requirements
• 8.0 Establishing and Marking Exclusion Zones and No-Go Areas
• 9.0 Safe Operation of Plant and Equipment Near Overhead Lines
• 10.0 Use of Dedicated Safety Observers/Spotters
• 11.0 Working at Height and Use of EWPs Under or Near Lines
• 12.0 Vegetation Management and Tree Trimming Near Overhead Lines
• 13.0 Communication, Signage and Traffic Management Controls
• 14.0 Isolation, De-energisation and Temporary Line Alterations (where applicable)
• 15.0 Emergency Response: Line Contact, Arcing and Electric Shock
• 16.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 17.0 Training, Competency and Authorisation Requirements
• 18.0 Inspection, Monitoring and Review of Controls
• 19.0 Document Control and Recordkeeping

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act (Safe Work Australia)
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations (Safe Work Australia)
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction work
• AS/NZS 3000: Electrical installations (Wiring Rules)
• AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites
• AS/NZS 4836: Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment
• AS 2550 series: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use (relevant parts for operation near power lines)
• State and territory electrical safety legislation and network operator guidelines for work near overhead power lines