climbing near powerlines

[18 stoner]

Ok, just to throw this in the pot.

 

I once saw a very small twig, and i do mean small, catch a 5 wire sheathed low voltage set, the wires bounced up and down and crossed. The sheathing as it turned out was very badly decayed and only had about 20% coverage remaining so the top 2 wires stayed crossed and tripped out.

 

So just for the exercise, would you say it should have been ok to work that close, and who should be responsible for cost of repair?

[Mozza]

Sheathed or not, I wouldnt work near lines unless 100% certain nothing will go near them, If i thought something were to snap off out of my control and hit the lines i wouldnt do it, A dismantle 10m away Id more then likely do, cant say for sure as ive not seen the job.

 

I dont trust a sheath at all

[Ben Ballard]

eg would you still at 5m away or would that be cutting it fine eg more chance of small bits breaking of and comming into contact with wires

[Mozza]

Without looking at the job its really hard to say, Ive known climbers dismantle 2m away from HV lines, Not advised at all BUT they were sure it wouldnt go wrong, so they did it, Like i say not best practice.

 

without seeing your job and knowing the climber and his/her ability then i cant really comment further.

 

If there is any doubt at all in your mind, dont do it!!

[Ben Ballard]

thancks alot for your help mate:001_smile:

[armchairarborist]

YEDL man said minimum 2metres.. so..

[armchairarborist]

got YEDL to give us an 'out' for a couple of hours, broke the mewp hyraulics after we got the crown out, just stems left as wires went live and mewp was fixed, YEDL man (wearing marigolds) said it was ok as there was just over 2m between basket/stems and wires, obviously if there had been any branches left we would have had to arrange another 'out'..

[educated arborist]

You should inform them by law but when you do they'll be like "yeah whatever" you only have to inform them that your within the zone. Go do your UA1 it doesn't cost much & is really informative.

[Ian Flatters]

Myself and Mr Sorenson once got a bit of eucy caught on a dual line going to a house, made a few loud bangs!!! In East Anglia EDF will take lines dow or turn them off for free!!! even the poles with 3 wires (turn off). number is 0845 601 4516. Saved me the time of rigging and platforms in the past.

 

They said its cheaper for them to take the line down than pay for a crew to do a call out or pay the subbys who clear the lines to do it.

 

Hope something like this goes on elsewhere.

[Bolt]

as long as you, your equipment and the bits you cut stay out of the proximity zone, you don't need to infrom the network operator (and your insurance will be valid) if you are FELLING, the proximity zone is 2x tree height. If however, you are pruning / dismantling, the proximity zone is 9 metres (for a line on wooden poles, regardless of voltage). If the tree is at 10m (which you reckon it is) go-you-ahead (as they say).