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• 1. Introduction
• 2. The Electrical Safety Act 2002
• 3. The Electrical Safety Regulation 2002
• 4. Risk management
• 5. Operating cranes and plant near overhead electric lines
  • 5.1 Scope
  • 5.2 Regulation requirement on exclusion zone for electric lines
  • 5.3 Exclusion zone
  • 5.4 Risk management process for a crane working near electric lines
  • 5.5 Working in the safety observer zone
• 6. Work near low voltage overhead electric lines
  • 6.1 Scope
  • 6.2 The no-touch and exclusion zones
  • 6.3 Hazard identification
  • 6.4 Risk assessment
  • 6.5 Examining the low voltage overhead line for visual defects
  • 6.6 Deciding on control measures
• 7. Clearing vegetation near overhead electric lines
• 8. Agricultural work near overhead electric lines
  • 8.1 Scope
  • 8.2 Regulation on exclusion zones
  • 8.3 Hazard identification
  • 8.4 Risk assessment
  • 8.5 Deciding on control measures
  • 8.6 Particular circumstances
• 9. Transportation of high loads near electric lines
  • 9.1 Scope
  • 9.2 Meaning of terms
  • 9.3 What is a high load?
  • 9.4 Legislative requirements
  • 9.5 Travel requirements
  • 9.6 Responsibilities
• 10. Repair of electrical equipment
• 11. Work near electrical hazards in buildings and near underground electrical cables
• Appendix A - Meaning of terms used in this code
• Appendix B - Exclusion zones in millimetres

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8.4 Risk assessment

If a hazard involving electric lines has been identified, an assessment should then be made to determine the risk of any part of the tools, plant or equipment coming into contact with electric lines. This step will help to determine risk associated with the identified hazards and establish a priority list based on risk levels.

When assessing risk, consider the following factors:

• Voltage of the exposed live part eg electric line;
• Height of the lines;
• Whether the lines are insulated or bare;
• Heights of any tools, equipment or machinery to be used, placed or operated near the line;
• Size of equipment being operated near the line and the equipment’s operating characteristics, ease of manoeuvrability and conductivity;
• Proximity of stationary or fixed plant and equipment to overhead lines, eg. grain silos and stock crate gantries;
• Location of overhead electric line supporting structures such as poles and towers in relation to the work to be performed. For example a pole may be located where a large self propelled machine, such as a harvester, is required to reverse or turn;
• Particular arrangement of supporting structures, eg. there may be stay wires that are hard to see
• Unexpected movement of the terrain, ground or surface upon which the equipment or plant is located, perhaps resulting in a corresponding surge or sudden movement of the load towards live electric lines;
• Prevailing weather eg strong wind or water affecting the movement of the plant or its parts; and
• Visibility of the overhead lines and their associated support structures, such as poles, and particularly stay wires on poles.

Last updated July 16, 2009

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© The State of Queensland (Department of Justice and Attorney-General) 2009.

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