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, Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said today.

Mr Mickel said people operating plant, farm equipment and other machinery should look out for overhead powerlines to make sure their equipment was not likely to enter the safety exclusion zone.

“The very clear message from Queensland’s Electrical Safety Office is to look up and live,” he said.

“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 is most commonly three metres for powerlines on wood or concrete poles but could be up to eight metres for powerlines on steel pylons.”

Mr Mickel said people who worked outside near overhead conductors or exposed live parts were at the greatest risk.

“It is important to stay clear of the powerlines because you, or your equipment, don’t need to touch the conductor to be electrocuted – many powerlines carry high voltages that can cause the electricity to arc, or jump, through the air,” he said.

Cane harvesters, trucks, farm equipment, irrigation equipment, augers, cranes, concrete booms, excavating equipment and elevating platforms have all been involved in electrical accidents because they came within the exclusion zone.

Mr Mickel urged rural workers to look up and live, especially when operating heavy or tall machinery around powerlines.

Information about electrical safety laws and exclusion zones is available from the Electrical Safety Office at www.deir.qld.gov.au.

Media contact: Shannon Mackay 3237 1125 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060

January 14, 2008