Staying safe around overhead powerlines on farms

Risks

Powerlines are often hard to see. As farming machinery gets larger, the risk of contact with overhead powerlines increases. Electricity can even arc from a live wire to a machine that’s close to an overhead powerline, but not touching it. This is known as an arc flash.

If contact is made with an overhead powerline, or there has been an arc flash, there is an extremely high risk of:

• injury from electric shock
• death by electrocution.

What to think about

Things to think about before starting work around powerlines:

• The location, height and visibility of powerlines.
• Weather conditions. Stormy weather, for example, may cause powerlines to sag and sway.
• The type of machinery or mobile plant being used near overhead powerlines, and how tall it is when folded and unfolded. Consider this when programming your GPS to avoid powerlines.
• The height and width of towed equipment (like field bins) and whether there is the potential to hit power poles or powerlines. Consider this when programming your GPS to avoid powerlines.
• The use of drones near powerlines.
• The type of tasks and how often they're done.
• The skills and experience of those doing the work.
• Setting up and packing up processes.

What to do

First, observe where overhead powerlines are on your farm. Remember that sometimes powerlines are hard to see, for example, when the sun is bright, or trees are in your line of vision.

Then, plan your work to avoid overhead powerlines as best you can.

Here are some things you can do to avoid them.

When you can’t avoid powerlines

Sometimes it's not possible to stop using all machinery around overhead powerlines. In these cases, you should:

• be aware of where overhead powerlines and power poles on your farm
• know the height and width of your machinery
• make sure packing up or folding up happens in a place away from powerlines
• avoid entering the No Go Zones set by Energy Safe Victoria
• use a safety observer where necessary.

What are No Go Zones?

No Go Zones are areas near powerlines where strict rules and restrictions apply to protect people from electrical risks. Often power poles or powerlines are hit when unfolding equipment that reaches high, or towing loads significantly wider than the tractor pulling them. This is when you should be on high alert and operate away from power poles and powerlines.

What to do if you or someone else hits a powerline

If you're in a vehicle that hits or arcs a powerline, stay in the vehicle and call 000. If you see someone hit a powerline, stay at least eight metres away and call 000.

Your responsibilities under the law

As a farmer you may be an employer, self-employed, or manage a farm. No matter which one you are, you have duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act). These can include ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable:

• you provide a farm that is safe and without risks to the health of your employees and contractors
• your farm activities don't expose anyone to health and safety risks (for example, your family, friends, visitors or contractors)
• that people, including people making deliveries or providing services on the farm, can enter and leave the farm safely
• you consult with your employees (including any health and safety representatives), contractors and labour hire workers about health and safety matters on your farm.

If you're an employer or self-employed, you also have specific duties related to electrical safety. This includes making sure plant is not used in conditions that are likely to give rise to electrical hazards. Further, under the OHS Act, you must notify WorkSafe immediately after the following things happen:

• There has been an incident involving an electric shock to someone other than the self-employed person or employer.
• There has been an incident that exposes someone other than the self-employed person or employer to the risk of an electric shock.

After you notify WorkSafe, you must make sure the site is undisturbed until an inspector arrives or tells you otherwise.

Lastly, you have responsibilities under the Electricity Safety Act 1998 and the Electricity Safety (General) Regulations 2019. These include maintaining a safe working distance from overhead powerlines when operating plant, vehicles or machinery and transporting loads.