The NSW Government has released a new Code of Practice aimed at reducing the health and safety risks associated with work carried out near overhead power lines.
USU Manager Paul Marzato: "The USU continues to campaign for safe working conditions."
The USU welcomes the new WorkCover ‘Code of Practice: Work Near Overhead Power Lines’ which will improve safety for all work carried out in such areas with potential safety risks.
The USU continues to campaign for safe working conditions, in particular in areas identified as high risk situations.
"All workers should be able to go to work with the assurance that they are going to a safe working environment," said USU Manager Energy Paul Marzato. "No family should be faced with losing a loved one because of an accident at work."
Since 2000, nine workers have been electrocuted after coming into contact with overhead power lines.
The news code specifies the distances for people, cranes, vehicles and mobile plant when working near overhead power lines and replaces an existing industry guideline. In addition it provides employers, self-employed people, workers and contractors with a practical guide on how to identify, assess and eliminate the hazards related to this type of work.
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 requires employers to ensure that workers and their plant, tools, equipment or materials do not come into close proximity with overhead power lines.
The only exceptions are when a written risk assessment and safe system of work have been prepared, and when the work is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the relevant electricity supply authority.
"The new code is a major step forward in ensuring safer conditions for all workers involved in tasks that may require them to be in the vicinity of power lines," said Paul Marzato.
