Working safely near overhead powerlines

You are legally required to keep a safe clearance distance when working near powerlines. Use this page as a quick reference to help you comply with the law.

Dangers of working near powerlines

You must allow for weather conditions when applying any safe clearance distances - for example, aerial powerlines can swing in the wind or sag in the heat.

Safe approach limits for people

By law, people working near powerlines must keep specific safe approach limits. These distances are measured from the closest conductor (wire) on the powerlines to the closest part of the person - this includes clothing worn and tools or objects held by the person. Your work practices could also be affected, for example, when you build a scaffold.

Different voltage powerlines have different safe approach limits.

Table 1: Safe approach limits for people as prescribed by the Electricity (General) Regulations 2012 (Regulation 64(3))
Voltage 240 V to 415 V 7.6 kV to 11 kV 19 kV to 33 kV 66 kV 132 kV 275 kV
Approach limit - with risk assessment  1.0 m  2.0 m  3.0 m  4.0 m  5.0 m  6.0 m
Approach limit - anyone  3.0 m  3.0 m  3.0 m  4.0 m  5.0 m  6.0 m

Read Identifying powerlines to work out the distance for a specific powerline or for the exact voltage contact:

Safe clearance distances for machinery

Machinery must be kept at a minimum safe distance from powerlines. This is a legal requirement and different to safe approach limits for people. Machinery could include:

  • cranes
  • vehicles
  • elevating work platforms
  • excavators and other machinery used for digging.

Operating cranes and elevating machinery

The Electricity (General) Regulations 2012 set out minimum safe distances for operating machinery near powerlines including:

  • cranes
  • machinery, vehicle or vessels with an elevating component or shear legs.

Safe distances depend on the voltage of the powerlines. So, make sure you correctly identify the voltage before planning your work.

Check a powerline’s voltage

You must also allow for any likely movement - wind effects, mechanical/ hydraulic, swinging of crane loads - of both the powerline and the machinery, including operator error.

Any breach of the safe distance puts people in immediate danger of electric shock.

Australian Standard AS2550 (Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use), describes the operation of cranes and other elevating working platforms near powerlines. This standard gives general guidance and clearances depend on whether the work is conducted with or without a spotter.

Table 2: Minimum clearance distances for cranes, earthmoving machinery, elevating work platforms and other machinery.
Voltage Minimum distance without spotter AS2550.1 Minimum distance with spotter AS2550.1 Minimum distance with risk assessment Electricity (General) Regulations 2012
240 V 6.4 m 3.0 m 1.0 m
415 V 6.4 m 3.0 m 1.0 m
7,600 V 6.4 m 3.0 m 1.5 m
11,000 V 6.4 m 3.0 m 1.5 m
19,000 V 6.4 m 3.0 m 1.5 m
33,000 V 6.4 m 3.0 m 1.5 m
66,000 V 6.4 m 3.0 m 3.0 m
132,000 V (Pole) 6.4 m 3.0 m 3.0 m
132,000 V (Tower) 10.0 m 8.0 m 3.0 m
275,000 V 10.0 m 8.0 m 4.0 m
330,000 V10.0 m8.0 m6.0 m

Diagram for table 2

For fully insulated conductors (powerline wires) phone the Office of the Technical Regulator for advice.

Risk assessment and other safety requirements

To operate machinery safely near powerlines at the minimum clearance required by the Electricity (General) Regulations 2012:

  1. Identify the voltage.
  2. Arrange for a spotter. They must carry out spotting duties the whole time you are working near the power line.
  3. Carry out a risk assessment - relevant parties involved in the work must be consulted.
  4. Notify SA Power Networks.

You must comply with any conditions made by SA Power Networks or the Technical Regulator.

Lifting above powerlines

Loads could be lifted above powerlines under certain circumstances. This is only permitted if:

  • other work methods are explored first
  • the powerline's voltage is identified
  • any conditions from SA Power Networks or Technical Regulator are complied with
  • you notify the Office of the Technical Regulator – low voltage powerlines (lower than 1,000 volt)
  • SA Power Networks give written permission – high voltage powerlines (higher than 1,000 volts).

Scaffolding near powerlines

Minimum safe clearances for structures, such as scaffolds, are set out in the Electricity (General) Regulations 2012.

Safe clearance distances are worked out using the powerline’s voltage. These distances must also be kept while building or taking down a scaffold. This includes any part of:

  • the scaffold
  • a worker or other person
  • equipment
  • any materials.

Distances are measured from the powerline to the final position of the scaffold.

Australian standard AS/NZS 4576 (Guidelines for scaffolding) takes a different approach. It also recommends that powerlines should be turned off during the construction of scaffolds. Where the clearance distance advised is less than the Regulations, you must comply with the legal safe clearance distances in the Regulations.

Table 3: Clearance distances for buildings and structures including scaffolds
(Electricity (General) Regulations 2012 Schedule 1, Table 1)
Voltage 240 V to 415 V 7.6k V to 33k V 66k V 132k V (Pole) 132k V (Tower) 275k V
Horizontal distance 
(Dimension C)
 1.5 m 3.1 m  5.5 m  15 m  20 m  25 m 
Vertical distance
(Dimension A)
3.7 m 5.5 m 6.7 m - - -

Network access permit

Contact SA Power Networks if you can’t meet the safe distances required by the Regulations. They can issue a Network Access Permit, which often means the powerlines will be turned off while you work. The power won’t be turned back on until you return the permit.

You need to sign the permit and only return it once your work is complete. The permit and its conditions must be clearly explained to you before you sign.

Visual safety aids - tiger tails

Tiger tails do not insulate the powerline. They cannot be used on high voltage powerlines.

Contact SA Power Networks to install tiger tails on the closest low voltage lines to warn workers of the location of the powerlines. This is for any work and includes:

  • operating machinery
  • erecting scaffolds.

You must still keep safe clearance distances from the powerlines if you are using tiger tails.

When a vehicle contacts a powerline

When a vehicle comes into contact with powerlines there is a high risk of electric shock.

Contact SA Power Networks immediately on 13 13 66 and remain still until the power is switched off. You should only move and evacuate the area if:

  • there is a fire
  • no-one else is aware of the situation
  • the powerline could fall on you.

You might need to evacuate the vehicle if it strikes a powerline. Follow these steps to keep safe:

  • Jump out of the vehicle, making sure you don’t touch the vehicle and ground at the same time.
  • Calmly walk or shuffle away using small steps.
  • Call SA Power Networks immediately on 13 13 66.
  • Don’t return to the vehicle until the area is safe.
  • Keep other people well clear.

Keep at least 10 meters away from fallen powerlines.

If you stay in your vehicle, no-one should touch you or the vehicle until the all-clear has been given by SA Power Networks.


Related information

On this site

Safe clearance distances between vegetation and powerlines

Vegetation clearances in bushfire risk areas

Legislation

Electricity (General) Regulations 2012.

Contact

Office of the technical Regulator

Documents

Other websites

Working near utility services – SafeWork videos


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Page last updated 21 September 2023

Provided by:
Department for Energy and Mining
URL:
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/energy-and-environment/safe-energy-use/powerline-safety/working-safely-near-overhead-powerlines
Last Updated:
21/09/23
Printed on:
22/12/24
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