SafeWork NSW Targets Safety Around Overhead and Underground Services

SafeWork NSW has commenced a focused compliance program aimed at ensuring businesses in the construction and utilities sectors are working safely around overhead and underground services, including live electrical, gas, water and telecommunications assets.

As part of this program, SafeWork NSW inspectors are visiting high‑risk workplaces across New South Wales to assess how risks are being managed when operating near essential infrastructure. Particular attention is being given to work involving excavators, elevated work platforms, front‑end loaders and similar plant that can come into contact with powerlines or buried services.

Working near overhead powerlines and underground services presents a significant and ongoing safety risk. Contact with these services can result in fatal or life‑altering injuries such as electrocution and severe burns. In addition, damage to underground or overhead utilities can lead to explosions, flooding, major service outages and extensive disruption to the community.

The financial and operational impacts of damaging utilities can be substantial, often resulting in costly repairs and lengthy project delays. SafeWork NSW is emphasising that effective WHS management systems, supported by clear policies, procedures and Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), are critical to preventing these incidents. Businesses seeking structured documentation may consider implementing a formal WHS management system, such as those available at Bluesafe WHS Management Systems.

During site visits, inspectors will be checking that duty holders understand and are meeting their obligations under work health and safety legislation. This includes identifying hazards, assessing risks, implementing suitable control measures for planned work, and establishing well‑communicated exclusion zones and safe approach distances around overhead and underground services.

Where businesses are found to be non‑compliant with their duties, inspectors may take enforcement action. This can include issuing improvement notices, prohibition notices and penalty notices to address unsafe practices and drive compliance with WHS laws.

Inspectors will also actively engage with workers, PCBUs, health and safety representatives and union delegates during these visits. They will provide practical advice and resources to help workplaces better manage the risks associated with working in proximity to essential services, and to support the development of robust SWMS and site‑specific procedures. For workplaces needing task‑specific documentation, template SWMS can be sourced from providers such as Bluesafe SWMS.

Workers who have concerns about health and safety at work can raise issues anonymously by contacting SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or by using the Speak Up Save Lives online reporting tool. SafeWork NSW also provides a range of guidance materials on its website to assist businesses and workers in managing the risks of working near overhead and underground services.

SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer stated that the current inspection program is designed to strengthen supervision, drive compliance and ensure that everyone on site understands the critical steps required to work safely around essential infrastructure. By increasing awareness and enforcing best practice, SafeWork NSW aims to prevent serious, life‑changing injuries and promote safer worksites across the State.

The Commissioner reinforced that businesses and duty holders must adopt a ‘know what’s above and below before you start work’ approach whenever work is carried out near overhead powerlines or underground services, supported by effective WHS management systems, appropriate planning and clear communication of safe work procedures.