Worker fatally injured by electrical arc while installing automatic irrigation monitoring system near overhead powerlines

Background

A worker was attempting to install an automatic irrigation monitoring system near overhead powerlines on a farm. During the task, the worker was fatally injured by an electrical arc when the six meter aluminium pole they were handling came into close proximity with an overhead powerline. The worker was working alone at the time.

Agriculture makes up just 2% of Victoria's workforce but regularly accounts for about 10% of workplace deaths.

Safety issues

Irrigation installation on farms can involve work near overhead powerlines because irrigation infrastructure often needs to connect to existing power supplies and follow fixed water layouts. This can include:

• Pumps, bores and meters located near existing overhead powerlines or pole-mounted supplies.
• Pipelines, risers and valves that must be installed along fence lines, channels or paddock layouts where powerlines already run.
• Handling long conductive items such as aluminium poles, pipes, risers or antenna masts for telemetry.
• Moving plant and equipment (for example, tractors, excavators or trenchers) into position where access is limited.

It’s important that employers, self-employed persons and workers understand these risks and how to control them.

Electricity can jump (also known as arc) from a live wire to plant or equipment that is close to an overhead powerline, even without contact.

If this occurs, or if contact is made with an overhead powerline, there is an extremely high risk of:

• injury from electric shock
• death by electrocution.

Environmental factors

Environmental factors such as sunlight glare, tree cover and line-of-sight distractions can make powerlines difficult to see.

Heat and wind can cause the powerline to sag or sway, reducing clearances and increasing the risk of accidental contact.

Rain and moisture, including fog and mist, can increase electrical risks by increasing conductivity.

Working alone

Working alone can increase the risk of harm from accidental contact or an arc from overhead powerlines, including delayed emergency response. Consider the task being undertaken and the proximity to powerlines before commencing solo work.

Risk management process

To manage hazards and risks on a farm, including overhead powerlines, employers can use the 4 step risk management process:

1. Identify hazards
2. Assess risks (which can be skipped if the risks and controls are known)
3. Control the risks
4. Review and revise risk controls

Recommended ways to control risks

When planning irrigation installation or maintenance near overhead powerlines, select controls in line with the hierarchy of control (highest to lowest). Use more than one control, where needed.

Common risk controls include:

• Changing work method and/or location
• Contacting the asset owner to receive advice on how to safely work in proximity to the overhead powerlines
• Using a qualified electrical spotter in accordance with the no go zone requirements
• Use physical barriers and designated exclusion zones to prevent plant or long items entering the no go zone
• Providing information, instruction, and training to employees about working safely around overhead powerlines. This should include:
  • The location and identification of overhead powerlines or underground assets
  • Safe work practices and the “Look Up and Live” procedure.
  • Safe distances for storing, loading, and unloading materials.
  • Emergency response actions if powerline contact or arcing occurs.

Legal duties

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act), Employers have duties which they must fulfil so far as is reasonably practicable. Their duties include:

• Providing and maintaining a working environment that is safe and without risks to health.
• Providing and maintaining systems of work that are safe and without risks to health.
• Ensuring people who are not employees are not exposed to risks from the employer's conduct.

Employers must:

• Provide employees with the necessary information, instruction, training, or supervision to enable them to do their work in a way that is safe and without risk to health.

Duty holders also have specific duties under electricity safety law when working near overhead electrical assets, including maintaining a safe working distance from overhead powerlines.