Product Overview

This Overhead Power and External Electrical Infrastructure Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls for work on poles, lines and associated assets, supporting robust WHS compliance on Australian worksites. It is a comprehensive, task-specific document that covers multiple aspects of overhead electrical infrastructure installation, removal and maintenance, from planning and set-up through to completion and site handover.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and risk assessment for overhead power and external electrical infrastructure works, including identification of live services and exclusion zones
• Selection, inspection and use of insulated tools, test equipment and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for electrical work
• Installing street lights on existing or new poles, including lifting, positioning, wiring and commissioning
• Safe isolation, lock-out/tag-out and testing for dead prior to working on street lighting circuits and overhead conductors
• Power pole removal activities, including traffic management, no-go zone controls, and coordination with network operators
• Installation of new power poles, including excavation, pole placement, backfilling, compaction and stability checks
• Temporary support and bracing of power poles during removal, replacement or repair to prevent collapse or unplanned movement
• Use of elevating work platforms (EWPs), crane trucks and other plant for accessing and handling poles, luminaires and overhead lines
• Working at heights on poles and from EWPs, including fall prevention, harness systems and rescue procedures
• Manual handling of poles, cross-arms, luminaires and cabling to minimise musculoskeletal injuries
• Establishing safe work areas with barriers, spotters and traffic control around roadways, footpaths and public spaces
• Environmental controls for working near underground services, trees and waterways, including erosion, noise and waste management
• Emergency response planning for electric shock, pole or plant failure, falls from height and uncontrolled contact with live conductors

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for electrical contractors, lineworkers, street lighting installers, civil contractors, and site supervisors involved in overhead power and external electrical infrastructure works.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Code of Practice: Construction Work – guidance on managing risks associated with construction activities, including electrical and civil works
• Code of Practice: Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace – requirements for working on or near electrical installations and equipment
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces – controls for working at heights on poles, ladders and from EWPs
• Code of Practice: Traffic Management in Workplaces (or relevant state guidance) – principles for managing vehicle and pedestrian interaction around pole and street light works
• AS/NZS 3000 Electrical Installations (Wiring Rules) – fundamental safety principles for electrical installation work
• AS/NZS 3012 Electrical installations – Construction and demolition sites – requirements for temporary electrical installations on construction sites
• AS/NZS 4836 Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment – procedures for isolation, testing and safe approach distances
• AS/NZS 1418 Cranes, hoists and winches (relevant parts) – safe use of cranes and lifting equipment for pole handling and installation
• AS 2550 Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use (relevant parts) – operational requirements for lifting operations associated with power poles and infrastructure