Industry Safety
Working near the Western Power network is dangerous
This section provides information on how you can keep safe when you're working near Western Power’s electricity network.
This information should be used in conjunction with the standards and regulations applicable to your industry. You need to ensure that there are adequate risk management procedures in place before working around the electricity network.
It is essential to know the location and voltage of any underground power cables and overhead network assets around your work area to assess the risk and carry out work safely. To get this information, contact Before You Dig Australia or freecall 1100.
Reduce the risk of accident and injury by planning ahead
Planning ahead is vital in ensuring you are safe when working near the overhead network. Limit the risk of accident and injury by gaining an understanding of the area you are working in.
Simple steps to achieve this are:
- know the location and voltages of network assets in your work area to determine the required clearances
- check the height of loads
- determine the extension, reach and height of equipment
- do not lift loads directly underneath powerlines
- do not lift loads over powerlines
- establish your lay down area or site storage away from the Western Power network
- place waste bins outside of the danger zones (see danger zone section for more information)
- tip sand outside of the danger zone.
Danger Zone
A danger zone is a specific area surrounding live electrical apparatus that ordinary persons, equipment and materials must not enter. The size of the danger zone is determined by the voltage of the electrical apparatus. Find out more about your obligations by visiting the danger zone section in your industry category.
Determine the voltage of distribution assets
Distribution assets include the low voltage network (415 - 1,000 volts) and parts of the high voltage network (up to 33,000 volts or 33kV).
To determine the voltage of overhead and underground assets in your work area, lodge a Before You Dig Australia enquiry. Submit your request for the following services at least 30 days before you need to start work (longer if you think assets might need to be removed or relocated).
Services for transmission and communication assets
Western Power offers a number of services for proposed works that may be impacted by transmission (33,000 volts - 330,000 volts) and communication assets. These include:
- relocation of transmission assets
- relocation of communication assets
- clearance assessments
- earth potential rise/low frequency induction studies
- provision of technical data
- civil/structural assessments
- de-energising the transmission line (requires at least 40 business days notice).
Should you wish to proceed with any of these services or for more information on:
- relocation of transmission and/or communication assets please refer to moving our equipment
- all other technical services, please apply here.
A consultant will contact you within two business days to progress your enquiry.
All services are conducted on full cost recovery basis.
Preventing ground collapse for overhead assets
Ground collapse is one of the primary risks to be controlled in excavation work. Ground collapse can occur quickly and without warning, giving a worker virtually no time to escape.
When planning the work, select appropriate excavation methods and control measures for the working environment and consider the collapsible areas for overhead assets.
Your duty of care to stay out of danger
Anyone who works near the network has a duty of care to Western Power. If it is reasonably foreseeable that your works may impact upon overhead or underground assets then you must demonstrate due diligence.
To assist in this Western Power has identified minimum approach distances for both underground and overhead assets.
Minimum approach distances for underground cables
| Nominal voltage | Minimum approach distance | |
| Power tool or plant | Non-powered hand tool/non-destructive digging | |
|
Up to and including 1,000V (low voltage) |
30cm |
Approach with care, avoid contact |
|
1,000V up to and including 33kV (high voltage) |
50cm |
|
|
Greater than 33kV up to and including 330kV (transmission) |
3m* |
|
* Western Power must assess any works within 3m of cables 33kV and above. Permit and/or authorisations for your works may be required.
Non-destructive digging (or potholing) is the use of high pressure compressed air to break up the ground, which is then removed by a powerful vacuum unit.
Danger zones for live electrical apparatus
A danger zone is a specific area surrounding live electrical apparatus that ordinary persons, equipment and materials must not enter. The size of the danger zone is determined by the voltage of the electrical apparatus.
If you are in charge of the work area, it's your responsibility to plan work so it can be carried out safely outside of the danger zone, and that nothing or no one enters it.
If your works enter the danger zone as prescribed in section R166A of the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022, or you make contact with the network, you may be prosecuted and be liable for any damage to the network.
Danger zones around overhead powerlines
In addition to the above minimum distances, you should refer to your industry’s regulations, code of practice and guidelines.
Occupational safety and health regulation obligations
When working near underground assets, it is essential to follow the five Ps of excavation:
- Plan – Plan your job and lodge a Before You Dig Australia enquiry at least two days before any excavation
- Prepare - Prepare by reviewing your plans and contacting the utility if you need assistance. Look for onsite asset and infrastructure clues such as streetlights, pillars and meters. Engage a BYDA Certified Locator prior to potholing.
- Pothole – To establish the exact location of underground infrastructure, pothole or hand dig if permitted
- Protect – Protect the infrastructure via various methods, including communication, utilising barriers and marking the location of the exposed infrastructure
- Proceed – Only proceed once you have planned, potholed (if permissible) and have protective measures in place.
It is also mandatory for the customer/excavator/contractor to physically locate all services before any excavation works (Occupational Safety and Health Regulation 1996 3.21). Never assume the depth and alignment of cables. Remember - only use Before You Dig Australia plans as a guide only.
When undertaking any works, it is the responsibility of the customer/excavator/contractor to ensure that all due care and safe clearances are observed and maintained. Check the Utility Providers Code of Practice for Western Australia for works in road and rail reserves.
Aerial visual covers (tiger tails)
Tiger tails are yellow and black sheaths that can be installed on low voltage conductors (up to 1,000 volts) to improve visual awareness of overhead powerlines - they do not provide insulation or reduce the danger zone.
How do I request installation or removal of tiger tails?
The cost to install and remove covers on one bay of low voltage mains directly adjacent to a work site is based on the following requirements:
- all four wires being covered
- mobilisation of crew and equipment
- administrative costs
- traffic management
Submit a request for installation of visual aerial covers (tiger tails).
- Please allow 2 weeks from application for technical assessment – dependent on applicant response to Public Impact Team Enquiries.
- Allow at least 8 - 14 weeks from receipt of monies paid to schedule into our works program.
- You can extend the period of Tiger Tail supply by emailing us. Further charges will apply.
Request to isolate (de-energise) network assets
To safely perform work within the overhead danger zone or minimum approach distances underground of distribution assets, you can request us to isolate the network assets within your work area.
| Distribution network assets (0 to less than 66kV) |
Aerial visual covers (tiger tails) |
|
| Isolation or de-energisation |
|
|
| Relocation or removal |
|
|
| Transmission network assets (66kV or over) |
Temporary transmission network isolation |
|
Request to remove or relocate network assets
There are many reasons why our infrastructure may need to be removed or relocated. Perhaps it is for a special event to ensure safe access or there may be equipment in the path of a proposed development. Learn more about removing or relocating our equipment.
Transporting oversized loads can be dangerous, especially if steps are not taken to ensure the load remains a safe distance from powerlines.
If you're transporting a load more than 4.3m high within the network, you'll need to apply for an oversize load movement authorisation.
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