Look up and live—electrical safety in rural communities
Staying a safe distance from overhead powerlines could save lives, prevent injury and stop costly damage.
That's the warning from Queensland 's Electrical Safety Office following a number of injuries this year and a fatality when equipment came into contact with overhead powerlines.
People operating plant, farm equipment and other machinery should look out for overhead powerlines to make sure their equipment is not likely to enter the safety exclusion zone.
Queensland safety laws define a 'no go' zone around energised powerlines which is off limits to everyone, unless they have been properly trained and authorised to carry out work near exposed live parts.
The no go zone or exclusion zone is most commonly three metres for powerlines on wood or concrete poles, but can be up to eight metres for powerlines on steel pylons. The exclusion zone exists because you, or your equipment, don't need to touch the conductor to receive an electric shock—many powerlines carry high voltages that can cause the electricity to arc or jump through the air.
Trucks, farm equipment, irrigation equipment, augers, cranes, concrete booms, excavating equipment and elevating platforms have all been involved in electrical incidents because they came within the exclusion zone.
Stay safe around overhead power lines by ensuring your equipment does not enter the safety exclusion zone.
More information on electrical safety laws
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