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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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5.4 Risk management process for a crane working near electric lines

5.4.1 Hazard identification
5.4.2 Risk assessment
5.4.3 Deciding on control measures
5.4.4 Implement control measures
5.4.5 Monitor and review

5.4.1 Hazard identification

Before taking a crane or plant including an EWP on to a workplace, you (the operator or supervisor of the operation) should make an inspection to identify potential hazards. For the purposes of this code, the interest is on exposed live electrical parts – such as overhead electric lines – around the work area. Electric lines should be treated as live unless otherwise confirmed by an appropriate authority. As there is a regulation on safe approach distance from electric lines, its requirements must be complied with.

5.4.2 Risk assessment

If you have identified a hazard involving overhead electric lines, you should conduct a written assessment to determine the risk of encroaching the exclusion zone. In assessing the risk, you should consider:

• Nature of the load to be moved eg dimensions and whether the load is conductive. When in contact with high voltage, material that would normally be non-conductive, may become conductive. All materials should be assumed to be conductive unless a competent person can confirm otherwise;
• Whether the load is being carried above the electric lines and may accidentally fall onto the live lines eg. moving a swimming pool from the street over live electric lines into the yard of a home;
• How the load is secured and whether any part of the load may inadvertently move during the operation and encroach the exclusion zone;
• Unexpected movement of the terrain, ground or surface upon which the crane or plant is located, possibly resulting in a corresponding surge or sudden movement towards live electric lines;
• Prevailing or unexpected wind strength and direction and weather condition;
• Size and shape of the load, particularly the surface area facing the wind;
• Functional behaviour of the crane, load or plant that could result in inadvertent contact with electric lines;
• Possibility of crane or plant becoming live through voltage induced by adjacent electric lines, especially high voltage lines.
• The outcome is a priority list of control measures based on risk levels.

5.4.3 Deciding on control measures

This step involves deciding on control measures to eliminate the hazard or minimise the risk of injury or property damage. This code provides control measures. You should either adopt the measures detailed in this code or adopt another method that is equal to or better in managing the risk.

The preferred hierarchy of control is:

1. Eliminate the hazard. This could involve de-energising the lines, rerouting the electric lines away from the crane or plant or replacing existing overhead lines with underground lines.
2. Substitute with a less hazardous process or equipment. This could mean finding another way of performing the task or tasks, eg. Use of an effectively tested insulated elevating work platform bucket could prevent electric shocks from the exposed live part to ground via the plant. It should be noted that, in spite of the insulated bucket, the worker could still receive an electric shock by touching a current source with one hand and an earth point with the other hand. An insulated bucket, while preventing some electrocutions, does not eliminate the hazard entirely.
3. Isolate the hazard. This could involve erecting a physical barrier to prevent any part of the machine or the load being moved from encroaching the exclusion zone.
4. Redesign equipment or work process. This could involve using limiting devices to prevent the jib from entering the exclusion zone or warning the operator before the jib enters the exclusion zone. If a limiting device is used, the interlocking or warning system should be designed to "fail safe" or should at least meet category 4 reliability in accordance with AS 4024.1 Safeguarding of machinery - General principles (non-Queensland Government link) or EN954-1. Where the limiting device prevents movement, sudden stopping or the momentum of the load should be catered for.
5. Introduce administrative controls. This method could include measures such as using a safety observer when the crane or plant is operating in the safety observer zone. Refer to Section 5.5 for special precautions for working in the safety observer zone or authorisation zone. It is also possible to install proximity sensors and alarms to warn the crane operator of imminent risk of entering the exclusion zone or contacting the line.
6. Use appropriate personal protective equipment. This could include the use of effectively maintained insulating gloves by anyone who may come into contact with any conducting part of the crane, plant or load being moved. In deciding which control measure to adopt, you should start at the top of the hierarchy and work your way down.

5.4.4 Implement control measures

In implementing control measures, it may be necessary to take special precautions especially when it is not possible or practical to totally prevent exposure to the hazard. Examples of such special precautions are detailed in Section 5.5.

5.4.5 Monitor and review

In monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of control measures, it may be necessary to modify the measures or the way they were implemented.

Last updated July 16, 2009

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