Rise in powerline shocks prompts awareness campaign

Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) has launched a campaign to increase awareness of the risks of working near powerlines, following a significant rise in incidents of this nature.

The Look up and Live campaign highlights the dangers of vehicles, such as tipper trucks, cranes and tractors, operating too close to powerlines — something that can lead to electrical shock or fatal electrocution.

ESV recorded that incidents had risen from 214 in 2021 to 260 in 2022 — a 21% increase.

The incidents included the death of a man in Malvern East in February 2022, who was electrocuted after making contact with powerlines.

There have already been 48 incidents recorded in January and February this year.

Of the 260 incidents in 2022, 165 involved overhead powerlines. The most common machinery involved excavators, with 88 incidents, followed by hand tools (28), tipper trucks (20) and rubbish trucks (17).

ESV CEO Leanne Hughson said powerline-contact incidents were all avoidable, with most cases caused by distraction, inexperience, tight deadlines, laziness and/or sun glare.

Hughson said the fact that someone had tragically lost their life should be enough for workers to take better care around powerlines.

“Unfortunately, distractions and the need to get things done quickly have unnecessarily cost Victorians their lives in recent years,” she said.

“It’s so easy to forget that the simple act of looking up, and checking the location of powerlines before you start work, could save your life.”

Those operating heavy plant machinery that comes into contact with a powerline should stay inside the vehicle and call for help.

Those outside the vehicle should stay at least eight metres away, as they can still be shocked when approaching the vehicle.

Below are a few simple safety tips to avoid an incident:

• Understand No Go Zones, rules and distances for safety clearances near overhead powerlines.
• Ensure an Energy Safe-registered spotter is on hand when working near overhead powerlines.
• Display Look up and Live stickers on any machinery or equipment that is raised overhead.
• Remember that powerlines are more difficult to see at dawn and dusk and that electricity can jump gaps.
• Be extra aware in rural areas, as overhead powerlines are predominantly single conductor lines that are difficult to see and easy to forget.
   

For more information, go to https://esv.vic.gov.au/campaigns/look-up-and-live/.

Image credit: iStock.com/Don Nielsen