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Working Near Overhead Power Lines (No Go Zones) SWMS

Working Near Overhead Power Lines (No Go Zones) SWMS

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • • Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • • Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Working Near Overhead Power Lines (No Go Zones) SWMS

Product Overview

This Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) sets out the high-level procedures, risk controls, and emergency measures required when working near overhead power lines and electrical no go zones. It is a comprehensive, pre-filled document covering multiple aspects of plant operation, task planning, and supervision to support strong WHS compliance and electrical risk management on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

  • Planning and scoping work in proximity to overhead power lines, poles, transformers, and public utility assets
  • Identifying, marking, and communicating electrical no go zones and approach distances prior to commencing work
  • Operation of equipment near overhead electrical hazards, including EWP, cranes, excavators, tip trucks, and loaders
  • Safe systems of work for operations near existing electrical installations and exposed live parts
  • Working near and around overhead electric lines, including crossing under lines and manoeuvring plant
  • Systematic site inspections to scope out power lines, underground services, and other aerial obstacles
  • Controls for working close to overhead power lines, including spotters, exclusion zones, and height limiting devices
  • Managing work activities directly under public utility lines such as power, communications, and street lighting
  • Selection, inspection, and use of non-conductive tools, equipment, and barriers to minimise electrical contact risk
  • Traffic and pedestrian management when plant operates near overhead services in public or shared zones
  • Emergency response procedures for electrical contact incidents, arcing, or unplanned plant contact with power lines
  • Training, competency, and supervision requirements for workers and safety observers (spotters) in no go zones

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for civil contractors, electrical contractors, crane and EWP operators, excavator and tip truck operators, builders, and site supervisors responsible for managing work near overhead power lines and public utility lines.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Job Step / Activity Potential Hazards
Review scope and legal duties
  • • Unidentified no go zones
  • • Unassessed electrical installations
  • • Conflicting information from asset owners
  • • Outdated network operator requirements
Gather service plans and conduct site survey
  • • Uncharted overhead services
  • • Hidden service connection points
  • • Public utility line congestion
  • • Restricted access for plant movement
Determine no go and exclusion zones
  • • Inadequate approach distances
  • • Plant encroachment into no go zones
  • • Contact with conductive attachments
  • • Electrocution from arcing current
Consult asset owner and arrange isolations
  • • Energised overhead lines
  • • Unexpected line re-energisation
  • • Incorrect isolation boundaries
  • • Induced voltages from adjacent lines
Plan plant and equipment operations
  • • Plant contact with overhead lines
  • • Arcing from crane booms
  • • Elevating work platform intrusion
  • • Tipper body contacting conductors
Configure site layout and traffic management
  • • Unplanned vehicle movement
  • • Reversing near overhead lines
  • • Pedestrians in plant swing radius
  • • Restricted escape routes under utilities
Induct workers and brief SWMS
  • • Unaware of electrical approach distances
  • • Incorrect response to line contact
  • • Misunderstanding spotter instructions
  • • Complacency around overhead hazards
Scope out power lines and obstacles
  • • Unseen overhanging branches
  • • Metal structures under lines
  • • Temporary scaffolds in approach zone
  • • Communication cables near power lines
Operate plant near overhead electrical hazards
  • • Boom contact with conductors
  • • Load swing into lines
  • • EWP basket entering no go zone
  • • Induction onto plant and loads
Conduct manual tasks under and around lines
  • • Carrying conductive materials
  • • Use of long handheld tools
  • • Erection of temporary structures
  • • Contact with service drops
Work near existing electrical installations
  • • Contact with mains connection points
  • • Damage to insulators and fittings
  • • Arcing from switchboards or poles
  • • Indirect contact via structures
Monitor weather and environmental conditions
  • • Line sway in high winds
  • • Reduced visibility of conductors
  • • Water increasing conductivity
  • • Lightning near overhead lines
Manage emergencies and line contact incidents
  • • Electrocution during rescue
  • • Step and touch potential
  • • Panic-driven unsafe actions
  • • Delayed emergency response
Review, audit and close out works
  • • Uncontrolled change to work scope
  • • Residual electrical hazards
  • • Removal of controls too early
  • • Repetition of unsafe practices

Need to add specific site requirements?

Don't worry if a specific job step isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom job steps at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the hazards and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Managing Electrical Risks in the Workplace Code of Practice – guidance on identifying and controlling electrical risks, including overhead services
  • Construction Work Code of Practice – requirements for planning and managing construction activities near overhead utilities
  • Safe Work Australia – Guide to Managing Risks with Overhead Power Lines – practical guidance on no go zones, exclusion distances, and use of safety observers
  • AS/NZS 3000: Electrical Installations (Wiring Rules) – fundamental safety principles for electrical installations and clearances
  • AS/NZS 3012: Electrical Installations – Construction and Demolition Sites – requirements for managing electrical risks on temporary and construction sites
  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)
  • Operational guidelines, with a step-by-step approach to safe work
  • Possible hazards that may be encountered
  • Step-by-step safety procedures to follow
  • Before work starts – Guidelines and Checks
  • Safety measures and guides
  • Operational Safety Checks
  • Before and After Risk Ratings
  • Risk Assessment Matrix
  • High Risk Work Involved
  • Emergency Evacuation Procedure
  • Plant and Equipment
  • Qualifications and Permits
  • Specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Company Personnel Sign-off form

$96.8

Safe Work Australia Aligned