No Go Zones and working around powerlines
In response to electricity-related deaths and accidents on work sites and farms, ESV has taken a lead role in establishing a best practice approach for mechanical plant and equipment such as mobile cranes, tipping trucks, concrete pumping machines, scaffolding and elevated work platforms being operated in near overhead powerlines.
This initiative, known as the ‘No Go Zone’ (NGZ) involved the development, introduction and communication of a consistent set of rules when working near overhead power lines.
The No Go Zone rules describe minimum safety requirements that are dependent on the distance between overhead powerlines and the work being performed.
What to do if you or someone else hits a powerline
If you’re in a vehicle that hits or arcs a powerline, stay in the vehicle and call for help.
If you see someone hit a powerline, stay at least eight metres away and call 000.
WorkSafe’s farm safety campaign: Stop, Look up and Live
Look up and live, and check for powerlines before any work begins
Tips for reducing the risk with overhead powerlines include:
- Stack hay and other materials well away from powerlines.
- Park oversized machinery away from powerlines.
- Rethink your loading zones on the farm – you don’t need to touch a powerline for it to arc.
- Talk with workers and contractors about how to work safely around powerlines, and what to do if they hit a powerline.
- Remember powerlines can sag in hot weather, which means there may be less distance between yourself and the powerlines than you think.
Resources
- Watch WorkSafe’s Powerline safety on animation
- Read more on our Look up and Live campaign webpage
- Order a free copy of our brochures from our Brochures and merchandise page.
Aerial powerlines locations on DEECA Spatial DataShare platform
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), formerly DELWP, have worked together with MECs to develop ongoing custodianship agreements and reach in-principal agreement to make Victorian overhead powerline location data available on DEECA new DataShare platform.
Location of the powerlines was officially made available on DELWP Spatial on 21 September 2021. DEECA published an article as to how the dataset would help emergency services in preparing for the upcoming fire season. For more information see DELWP prepares for fire .
This shared data enables emergency managers to coordinate geospatial intelligence to minimise the impact of disaster on people, homes, property and infrastructure. It will also support regional planning, development and collaboration across the border, and strengthen emergency management capabilities for both states, Victoria and NSW.
Who is my power company?
To determine which power company is responsible for the power poles in your area, visit and enter your address to view maps of the distributor areas.
Below are the contact details for each of the five Victorian power companies and websites with their Working Near Powerlines information.
AusNet Services
Phone: 1300 360 795
AusNet
Jemena
Phone: 131 626
Jemena
Powercor / CitiPower
Powercor: 132 206
CitiPower: 1300 301 101
Powercor/Citipower
United Energy
Phone: 1300 131 689
United Energy
More information
Follow the links below for more information No Go Zones.
Distribution overhead powerlines
Distribution overhead powerlines range in voltage from 240V up to 66,000V (66kV). Distribution overhead lines include electrical overhead lines for traction assets such as trains and trams.
No Go Zones
- Work outside 6.4m
from overhead power lines no specific requirements are established other than those described in established regulation, primarily the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017. - Work between 3.0m and 6.4m
from an overhead power line, a registered Spotter is required. This is known as the Spotter Zone. - Work within 3.0m
from an overhead power line, permission from the relevant network operator is required and additional preventative measures will need to be taken.
ESV produces stickers (pictured below) outlining the exclusions listed above. These are available via our Merchandise page.
More information
Read more on exclusions and clearances via links below.
- WorkSafe – Using powered mobile plant near overhead
- Building design near overhead powerlines:
Building design near overhead powerlines
Transmission overhead powerlines
Transmission overhead powerlines range in voltage from 132kV up to 500kV. They are installed on towers or steel poles.
No Go Zones for towers
- Work outside 10m from overhead power lines no specific requirements are established other than those described in established regulation, primarily the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007.
- Work between 10m and 8m from an overhead power line, a registered Spotter is required. This is known as the Spotter Zone.
- Work within 8m from an overhead power line, permission from the relevant network operator is required.
ESV produces stickers (pictured below) outlining the exclusions listed above. Order them from our Brochures and merchandise page.
More information
Follow the links below for more information on No Go Zones.
Underground assets
There are a number of different types of assets installed underground in Victoria. These include:
- all electricity cables up to and including 66kV
- all electricity cables greater than 66kV
- telecommunications cables
- assets listed under the Pipelines Act
- all gas pipelines other than those listed above
- water, drainage and sewerage pipelines.
A person must not penetrate deeper than 300 millimetres on any land where underground assets are located unless the person has inspected any relevant records.
Relevant records are held by the asset owner or find them for free via the Before You Dig Australia website.
ESV produces stickers (pictured below) outlining the exclusions listed above. These are available via our Brochures and page.
More information
- Read more on exclusions and clearances on the WorkSafe website.
Scaffolding
Erecting, dismantling and use of scaffold near overhead powerlines
If the erected scaffold or erection process causes scaffold components to come anywhere above or within 5 metres below and 4.6 metres horizontally to the side electrical powerline and, then a Permit to Work (PTW) from the power distribution company may be required for the work to proceed.
To ensure workers are not put at risk from overhead powerlines during the erecting and dismantling, or use of the scaffold; it is essential the power distribution company is contacted for advice and information if the scaffold or components will be within the No Go Zone.
Energy Safe Victoria and WorkSafe consider that the use of a Spotter is not an adequate measure to control No Go Zone risks during the erection and dismantling of scaffolding. If erecting scaffolding within the No Go Zone the asset owner (Distribution Business, or traction company) must be contacted.
ESV produces stickers (pictured below) outlining the exclusions listed above. These are available to tradespeople from our Brochures and page.
Guidelines for scaffolding
- Guidelines for scaffolding near overhead powerlines: Guideline - Scaffolding near overhead powerlines
- Guidelines for scaffolding near service lines: Guideline - Scaffolding near service lines
Spotters
If you require the services of a Spotter, contact one of the organisations on this list:
Spotters_service_providers_Jan21
Where a Spotter is to be used, the contractor must ensure they are properly inducted into all site safety procedures including the relevant Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS).
The Spotter must remain at the task for the entire time the earthmoving equipment is required to operate in accordance with the SWMS. The Spotter may only observe for one item of operating earthmoving equipment at any time.
The Spotter must also carefully position themselves so they can monitor the distance between the equipment and the lines, and must provide early and effective warning to the earthmoving equipment operator of any potential encroachment on the No Go Zone.
Spotters for overhead electrical lines shall have completed an endorsed Spotter training course by a registered training provider and be competent in the following areas:
- the design envelopes for the equipment/plant being used
- the operation and uses of the equipment/plant being used
- the hazards posed by overhead electrical assets.
Related information about Spotters
Building near powerlines
Ensure your building complies with regulations.
Required clearances between buildings and overhead powerlines must be maintained at all times – buildings that don’t comply are a serious safety hazard and in breach of the law.
Failure to consider overhead powerlines during the planning and construction stages can have expensive consequences and cause delays. It’s your responsibility to ensure your building complies with regulations well before construction commences.
ESV has developed guidelines to assist property owners, surveyors, planners, architects, builders and councils to consider clearance to overhead powerlines when designing and planning buildings, signs and other structures.
- Building Near Overhead Powerlines:
Building design near overhead powerlines
Date: 30/03/2023 22:57
Controlled document
The currency and accuracy of this document cannot be guaranteed once printed or saved to a storage device. If in doubt, please check the ESV website for the current version.
Reviewed 21 February 2023