ENERGY Safe Victoria is reminding farmers of the ‘Look Up and Live’ campaign as farm equipment gets bigger, while powerlines are not lowering with thousands of powerlines and poles situated on farms.
Powercor is Victoria’s largest electricity distributor and covers more than 145,000 square kilometres across western, northern and central Victoria with 88,000 kilometres of powerlines and 500,000 poles.
Powercor supports the ‘Look Up and Live’ campaign and reminds operators of machinery, including on farms, to be aware of their surroundings and to adhere strictly to the ‘No Go Zone’ rules when working near powerlines.
Cranes, augers, driving higher vehicles or trucks, raising the tipper tray of a truck or other farm equipment such as irrigation pipes overhead or when climbing on top of machinery or storage silos can all be perilous around powerlines.
Whether working as a farmer using heavy machinery with long booms, a civil contractor, or a builder relying on big deliveries, high scaffolds, or even hand-held machinery, all need to be aware of electrical clearance zones.
Risks are caused by not only direct contact with overhead electrical assets but also metal objects coming within clearance zones that electrical currents can arc across.
The use of signage, preparing and planning, and undertaking regular training and safety briefs with co-workers to be better educated on dangers when working near powerlines are imperative measures to consider.
Sometimes people don’t notice where the powerlines are and with the sun or trees obscuring vision, or other activities causing distraction, a moment of inattention could cause great harm.
When operating equipment near electricity assets, permits detail the conditions and methods that must be adhered to in order to carry out the proposed work on site safely.
Powercor’s Network Safety manager, Luke Farrugia, said all people on farms need to remember to look up and live, and that powerlines are part of our regional and rural landscape.
“It’s important that anyone operating tractors, harvesters or other equipment, even within GPS and automatic steering enabled, needs to pay close attention around electricity infrastructure,” Mr Farrugia said.
“Unfortunately, really serious incidents do occur and we’re asking for people who are working on the land to be aware of their surroundings and to mitigate the risks including contact with electricity infrastructure.”
Mr Farrugia said the “No Go Zones” framework was in place to guide anyone needing to work in vicinity of powerlines, however avoiding the risk altogether was the best advice.
“If you’re doing some work like setting up equipment, work site or checking machinery before a job, do it away from any overhead lines when possible,” Mr Farrugia said.
“That way if you make an error or something goes wrong, you don’t put yourself or others at any unnecessary risk.
“But if you need to work under or in vicinity of powerlines, make sure you adhere to the No Go Zone rules and get in touch with us if you need any help.”
The No Go Zones rules in Victoria require all work to take place at least 6.4 metres away from overhead distribution powerlines, with a spotter required when working between 3m and 6.4m from lines. No work is permitted within 3m of powerlines without strict permission from the relevant electricity distribution business. A permit to work is required for this work to be undertaken safely.
Mr Farrugia said it was critical that farmers and all operators of machinery were aware of their surroundings and made site risk assessments before starting any work.
“It’s also really important to remember that you don’t even need to touch powerlines to be at risk,” Mr Farrugia said.
“When you’re dealing with high voltages, sometimes electricity can jump short distances onto machinery which puts you at risk even if you’re not touching any lines.
“Really simply, if you’re using machinery, stay well away from overhead lines wherever you can.”
For more information visit powercor.com.au/lookupandlive