working under power lines

[CABennett]

Hello - I'm in need of some general advice concerning tree and hedge work and power lines.

 

Basically is it safe to cut hedges and branches that are very close or nearly touching live power cables? They are domestic power cables running between houses on short telegraph type poles. Some have black insulation around them and others have no insulation. I was just wondering how hedge cutters and tree workers generally approach these particular (and potentially hazardous) obstacles.

 

Many thanks 

 

Colin

 

 

[Mesterh]

Short answer is no, it isn't safe to work in close proximity to live electric cables.

 

 

 

 

[GarethM]

Ring the local DNO, they have in the last 12-18 months increased the clearance from 1.5 to 3m.

 

This is work they do at no cost to the customer.

[Dan Maynard]

As above, ring the DNO. I've done this on a few jobs and they are always helpful, after all they want everyone safe and the power to stay on.

 

It's also really really important you identify the equipment correctly, chap in Scotland was killed not too long ago hedge trimming under 11kV lines with a long arm.

[GarethM]

In the north west it's call 105.

They're usually pretty helpful and get some out within a couple of hours to inspect.

[Chipperclown]

UK Power networks will need to cut the power however notice for the home owners is required. Speak to them its pretty straight forward, have done this a number of times.

 

[eggsarascal]

8 minutes ago, Chipperclown said:

UK Power networks will need to cut the power however notice for the home owners is required. Speak to them its pretty straight forward, have done this a number of times.

 

... depending where you are in the country.

[CABennett]

Thank you. That's really helpful.