Product Overview

Summary: This Working Near Power Lines Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for planning and carrying out work in the vicinity of overhead and underground electrical assets. It helps Australian businesses control the extreme risks of electric shock, arc flash, plant contact and service disruption, while demonstrating compliance with WHS and electrical safety laws.

Working near overhead and underground power lines is one of the highest-risk activities on Australian worksites. A single contact or flashover can result in multiple fatalities, serious burns, plant damage and large-scale power outages. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step method for identifying electrical assets, establishing safe approach distances, coordinating with electricity network operators and controlling the movement of people, plant and equipment around power lines.

Developed specifically for the Australian WHS environment, the SOP helps businesses translate complex legal and technical requirements into clear, field-ready instructions. It addresses common scenarios such as crane lifts under lines, excavation near underground cables, tree trimming, scaffolding erection, mobile plant travel routes and temporary works in road reserves. By implementing this procedure, organisations can demonstrate due diligence, support safe work method statements (SWMS), improve contractor management and significantly reduce the likelihood of catastrophic electrical incidents on site.

Key Benefits

• Ensure compliance with WHS legislation, electrical safety laws and electricity network requirements when working near power lines.
• Reduce the risk of electric shock, arc flash, electrocution and plant contact incidents involving overhead and underground services.
• Standardise planning, permitting and supervision processes across all projects where work is undertaken near electrical infrastructure.
• Improve coordination with electricity supply authorities, including isolation, de-energisation, permits and safety observer requirements.
• Provide workers and contractors with clear, visual and practical controls for maintaining safe approach distances and exclusion zones.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• Plant Operators (cranes, EWPs, excavators, tip trucks)
• Lineworkers and Electrical Contractors
• Civil and Infrastructure Contractors
• Traffic Management Supervisors
• WHS Managers and Safety Advisors
• Facilities and Asset Managers
• Landscaping and Tree Lopping Contractors
• Utilities and Council Works Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Electrocution from direct contact with live overhead power lines
• Arc flash and flashover from plant or tools operating within unsafe approach distances
• Contact with underground electrical cables during excavation or boring
• Induced voltages and step-and-touch potentials around faulted or downed lines
• Plant roll-over or instability when operating to avoid overhead lines
• Falling objects or materials contacting power lines (e.g. scaffolding, formwork, pipes)
• Uncontrolled energisation or re-energisation of services during works
• Traffic and public exposure to electrical hazards in road reserves and easements
• Inadequate communication between site personnel and electricity network operators

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (Overhead Lines, Underground Cables, Exclusion Zones, No-Go Zones, Authorised Person, Spotter)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Supervisors, Plant Operators, Safety Observers, Contractors)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Network Operator Requirements
• 5.0 Pre-Start Planning and Risk Assessment for Work Near Power Lines
• 6.0 Identification and Verification of Overhead and Underground Services
• 7.0 Determining Safe Approach Distances and Exclusion Zones
• 8.0 Control Measures for Overhead Power Lines (Cranes, EWPs, Tippers, Scaffolding, Tree Work)
• 9.0 Control Measures for Underground Electrical Cables (Dial Before You Dig, Locating, Potholing, Hand Digging)
• 10.0 Requirements for Isolation, De-energisation and Permits from Electricity Network Operators
• 11.0 Use of Safety Observers/Spotters and Communication Protocols
• 12.0 Plant and Equipment Requirements (height limiters, slew restrictors, warning devices, insulating barriers)
• 13.0 Signage, Barricading and Traffic Management Around Electrical Hazards
• 14.0 Emergency Response Procedures for Electrical Contact and Near Misses
• 15.0 Training, Competency and Induction Requirements
• 16.0 Monitoring, Inspection, Incident Reporting and Corrective Actions
• 17.0 Document Control, Review and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and relevant State/Territory variants)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (and State/Territory equivalents) – management of electrical risks and construction work
• Electrical Safety Act and Electrical Safety Regulation (where applicable, e.g. QLD)
• 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 4836: Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment
• AS/NZS ISO 31000: Risk management – Guidelines
• Relevant electricity network operator guidelines for working near overhead and underground assets (e.g. "No Go Zone" or "Look Up and Live" requirements)