OVERHEAD POWERLINES: LOOK UP AND LIVE

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The Minister for Justice and Workplace Relations, Steven Kons, today highlighted the dangers of working near overhead powerlines in response to increased incidents and fatalities in Tasmania.

“In 2006 alone there were 70 incidents involving trucks or mobile plant coming into contact with overhead power lines,” Mr Kons said.

“Six people have also lost their lives since 2001. It is simply unacceptable.”

Mr Kons said Workplace Standards Tasmania and WorkCover Tasmania today launched a television advertisement warning Tasmanians of the dangers of working near overhead powerlines.

“Most overhead power lines have no insulation, and even for those that do the insulation is easily damaged if touched.

“Just being in close proximity to these overhead power lines is dangerous.

“If a truck or mobile plant comes into contact with overhead power lines, they become live and may electrocute anyone close to or touching the vehicle. A broken power line is just as dangerous.”

The biggest risk of touching overhead power lines comes from:

▪ Tip trucks raising their trays

▪ Front-lift garbage trucks lifting a bin over the cabin

▪ Excavators working near or under overhead power lines

▪ Cranes working near or over overhead power lines

▪ Trucks with a high load, such as over-height containers, backing into yards or driveways

▪ Agricultural machinery, particularly anything raising irrigation pipes vertically

▪ Yachts with their mast raised being transported on trailers.

Mr Kons said the television advertisement begins tomorrow and runs until the end of July.

“It focuses on the risks of overhead power lines in rural areas, regulations for no go zones and the need to look up and live,” Mr Kons said.

The advertisement supports the detailed information contained in A Guide to the Operation of Mobile Plant or Equipment Near Overhead Power Lines.Copies of this guide are available by phoning the Workplace Standards Helpline on 1300 366 322 or by visiting www.workcover.tas.gov.au.