Overhead power lines toolbox talk
Read it out at the pre-start or a toolbox meeting, talk through the questions, and have everyone sign on. It's built from our overhead power lines page and the 323 SafetyDocs templates that cover it.
- Site
- Date
- Presented by
What it is
Contact with, or arcing from, live overhead electric lines and services when moving equipment or materials.
Controls to check, most effective first
- Ask the network operator to de-energise, relocate or otherwise protect overhead lines before work starts, where possible.
- Find out the no-go zone distances set by your state or territory regulator and network operator, and mark them on site.
- Fit height limiters or proximity alarms to cranes, tippers and other plant working near lines.
- Use a trained safety observer whenever plant or long materials could come near the no-go zone.
- Treat all overhead lines as live, and do not rely on tiger tails or other markers as insulation.
- If plant contacts a line, stay inside if it is safe, warn others to keep clear and call the network operator.
Where it comes up on the job
Work steps from SafetyDocs templates that deal with overhead power lines:
- Working near overhead electric linesKeep plant clear of overhead power linesFrom Road Rail Excavator
- Spotting for an EWP near overhead electric linesSpot for an EWP near overhead electric linesFrom Spotter
- Spotting for scaffolding near overhead electric linesSpot for scaffold work near overhead electric linesFrom Spotter
- Working near overhead powerlinesInspect the safety indicators and comply with the electricity supply authority's conditionsFrom Overhead Electric Lines - Working Near
- PlanningPlan work near overhead electric lines and workbox maintenance.From Workbox
Questions for the crew
- Where could overhead power lines come up on this job today?
- Is any of this work on today's job: Working near overhead electric lines; Spotting for an EWP near overhead electric lines; Spotting for scaffolding near overhead electric lines?
- The most effective control is: “Ask the network operator to de-energise, relocate or otherwise protect overhead lines before work starts, where possible”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
- Which controls for overhead power lines are missing or not working on this site?
- When would you stop work because of overhead power lines, and who would you tell?
- How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?
Sign-on record
Everyone who attended signs below. Keep it with your toolbox talk records.
| Name | Company | Signature |
|---|---|---|
A starting point for a talk, not a SWMS or a risk assessment. Add what's particular to your site and crew.