Exclusion zones
High-voltage (more than 1000 volts or 1 kilovolt) can arc, or jump across gaps. So even if you don't touch the electric wire, you are still in danger of electrocution.
An exclusion zone is the space that exists around a live electrical part, including electric lines, the exposed ends of electric cabling or the exposed parts of electrical equipment.
Any work that could breach the exclusion zone requires a safety observer.
Find out what the different exclusion zones are.
Definitions used in the exclusion zone table
'authorised person'- a person who:
- has enough technical knowledge and experience to do work that involves contact with, or being near to, the electrical part; and
- has been approved by the person in control of the electrical part to do work that involves contact with, or being near to, the electrical part, or is authorised to act for the person in control of the electrical part.
However, it should be noted that for operating plant operated by an authorised person or instructed person who does not have a safety observer or another safe system as required under the schedule, the authorised person or instructed person must be taken to be an untrained person.
'high voltage' – any voltage over 1000 volts (or 1 kilovolt).
'instructed person' – for an electrical part, means a person who is acting under the supervision of an authorised person for the electrical part.
'low voltage' – any voltage up to 1000 volts.
'operating plant' – plant being operated for its intended purpose, but where the operation of the plant can materially affect the distance between the plant and any electrical part that has an exclusion zone around it.
Some examples include:
- a tip truck tipping a load;
- a fixed crane operating at a building site;
- a concrete pumping truck.
'untrained person' – a person who is not an authorised person or an instructed person for the electrical part. However, it should be noted that for operating plant operated by an authorised person or instructed person who does not have a safety observer or another safe system as required under the schedule, the authorised person or instructed person must be taken to be an untrained person.
'vehicle' – does not include operating plant or aircraft.
Last updated July 16, 2005
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