Powerlines

[David Dobedoe]

Wanting to clarify both good practice and legal requirements for working near powerlines. Specifically not working with for a power company. I have always understood that the guidelines are that if the tree/s are to be felled we need to be two tree lengths away. If we're climbing / dismantling we need to be 10 meters away. Using these guidelines I have always contacted the power company when to close and made arrangements with them. I have found them helpful and had shut downs, lines dropped and occasionally supervision and no other intervention. 

 

Anything that should be added or changed in my understanding?

[Mark Wileman]

I'm by no means an expert but I have a little understanding of the planning of Utility Work.

 

Heres an extract from the UA1 assessment schedule:

 

Quote

13 Demonstrate knowledge of Proximity Zones 1 and 2.

Demonstrate knowledge of the factors to consider when applying the proximity zone distance to a task.

 

Proximity Zone 1: - Includes all the trees that are to be felled that are within two tree lengths of any live equipment.

 

Proximity Zone 2: - Includes all the tree that are to be dismantled, pruned or have other arboricultural work carried out on them that are within:

• 9m of any live equipment up to and including 66kV

• 15m of any live equipment greater than 66kV

 

- (When felling) Distance is measured horizontally from a point directly beneath the nearest conductor to the base of the tree

- Where mechanical plant is being used (e.g. harvesters or forwarders), then the stated distances will be measured to the nearest point to the line that any part of the machine or load can reach

- On sloping ground increase the distance to allow for the effect of the slope so that task can still be carried out safely

- The distance must be reassessed on the recommencement of work

- DNO must be advised if work is to take place within the Proximity Zone

It's my understanding that if you are working on trees outside of Proximity Zones 1 and 2, you are fine to carry on.

 

If you are breaching those zones then you need DNO approval to conduct the work, incorporated in that will be an electrical risk assessment, utility arb method statement and I assume the DNO will have to see proof of UA NPTC qualifications and insurances.

 

If they've let you carry on in the past then perhaps they can waiver certain ticks in the box if they are supervising/killing the line.

 

Regards,

 

Mark

[David Dobedoe]

Thanks, that's useful. With the work I have done in the past, because they have usually turned off the power or turned of the power and dropped the lines they have created a situation where I've not been working in a relevant proximity zone. That will be why tickets for utility work haven't mattered. Exceptions have been where they have either supervised the work, which in reality was work where they agreed no risk if we dismantled responsibly instead of felling... And I seem to remember some work where they covered the lines before we worked.

 

[Mark Wileman]

No problem, I think the bottom line is so long as your speak to the DNO and act on their instruction then you can't go wrong!