sverhead-Power-Cables

1. Hettle Andrews Training
Toolbox Talks
Overhead Power Cables

2. Overhead Power Cables
There is a danger of death when working near
overhead power cables, particularly:
• power distribution lines
• overhead supplies for railway systems
• overhead cranes powered from un-insulated conductors.

3. Overhead Power Cables
Common operations leading to contact with overhead
lines are:
• handling long scaffold tubes, metal sheets, ladders
• operating cranes and other lifting plant
• raising the body of tipper lorries or tipping trailers
• Agricultural slurry guns
• using mobile elevating working platforms and other access
equipment.

4. Overhead Power Cables
Before undertaking operations which may lead to
contact with overhead power lines:
• consult the local District Network Operator and/or the National
Grid Company for lines on steel towers operating at 275 kV
and 400 kV
• find out the maximum height and maximum vertical reach of
operating machines
• do not bypass ‘goal posts’ barriers or other warnings
• check route is clear of overhead power lines before moving a
mobile scaffold tower or metal ladder
• If signalling, always keep power lines in view. Guide plant
under power lines where ‘goal posts’ have been erected

5. Overhead Power Cables
Before undertaking operations which may lead to
contact with overhead power lines (cont.):
• do not stack materials to operate tippers under power lines, it
will reduce the safe clearance and can result in arching
• mark out the routes of all overhead lines
• make sure you have details of the maximum working heights
permitted under each span of overhead line and adjacent to
each structure and mark on a map.

6. Overhead Power Cables
Where there are live overhead cables near a work activity:
• the District Network Operator and/or the National Grid Companyshould be informed
and the system should be made dead.
Where this is not practicable:
• no plant or equipment should approach cables suspended from steel towers closer
than 15m measured horizontally from the line of the cables, or 10m in the case of
wooden pylons.

7. Overhead Power Cables
Ensure safety by:
• creating alternative access points and routes
• erecting goalposts and barriers for machines to pass beneath lines at a safe height
• selecting machinery that will not reach more than 4m from the ground
• proper training of workers
• supervising the operation.

8. Overhead Power Cables
Emergency action if an accident happens:
• do not touch an overhead line. Never assume lines are dead
• if a machine is in contact with an overhead line, electrocution is possible
• stay in the machine and lower any raised parts in contact or drive the machine
out of the lines
• if you need to get out, jump out as far as possible without touching any wires or
the machine
• contact the electricity company to disconnect the supply.

9. Overhead Power Cables
Risks can be reduced by:
• making sure machinery can operate safely near any overhead lines
• using sprayers with horizontally folding booms
• fitting shorter radio aerials or repositioning existing ones on high machines
• carrying pipes horizontally and not storing pipes or other materials and
equipment near or under power lines and their supports
• designating safe areas for high-risk operations, eg boom folding, telescopic
handler use, tipping trailers.
Treat all overhead lines as live. DO NOT assume that they are telephone wires.

10. Legislation and resources
• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002
• Avoidance of Danger from Overhead Electrical Lines GS6(Fourth Edition 2013), HSE
• Working Safely Near Overhead Power Lines HSE Information Sheet (Agriculture
Information Sheet No 8) AIS8 (rev 3).
Overhead Power Cables

11. Overhead Power Cables
Questions and Answers
Q: Name two common operations leading to contact with overhead lines:
A: Handling long scaffold tubes, metal sheets, ladders, raising the body of
tipper lorries.
Q: How can risks be reduced? Give two examples:
A: Making sure machinery can operate safely near any overhead lines;
using sprayers with horizontally folding booms.
Disclaimer
Toolbox Talks are provided by Hettle Andrews for general guidance on matters of interest. In making these documents available to a general and diverse audience it is not possible to anticipate
the requirements or the hazards of any particular subscriber's business. Users are therefore advised to carefully evaluate the contents and adapt the Toolbox Talks to suit the requirements of
each situation or activity. Hettle Andrews does not accept any liability whatsoever for injury, damage or other losses which may arise from reliance on this information and the use of these
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Revised: 2014