Working near powerlines can be dangerous and these incidents highlight the importance of staying vigilant and informed when working near electrical infrastructure.

SafeWork SA has received a total of 59 notifications of dangerous workplace incidents involving overhead or underground powerlines, over the last three financial years.

• Over 40 of those notifications involved powerlines being struck by plant and equipment such as trucks, cranes, or excavators.
• Seven incidents involved workers accidently cutting a live powerline.
• Five incidents involved a person striking a powerline while carrying construction material, including long metal items such as copper piping and metal roof purlins.

With the right precautions in place, you can help protect yourself and others from serious injury or death. Whether you're a farmer, home builder, civil construction worker, or simply tackling a DIY project, understanding the risks and following safety guidelines is critical.

Here’s what you need to know to help you and others stay safe.

Know the risks

Powerlines, whether overhead or underground, carry high voltage electricity that can cause severe injury or death if contacted. Overhead powerlines typically operate at 66,000 or 132,000 volts. Electricity can jump from powerlines to people or equipment if you get too close.

Not all powerlines are visible. Underground powerlines, or those hidden from view, can pose just as much risk. Identifying their location before starting work is a crucial first step.

Plan ahead: Locate powerlines before you start

Before beginning any work, take the time to identify the location of powerlines in your area. Tools like the Look Up and Live app and Before You Dig Australia can help you map out the location of powerlines, reducing the risk of accidental contact.

• Before you Dig Australia (BYDA)

• Look up and Live

Marking the location of powerlines on your worksite ensures everyone is aware of potential hazards.

Maintain Safe Distances

Always maintain a safe clearance from powerlines:

• At least three metres from low-voltage powerlines.

• At least six metres from high-voltage powerlines.

If you're operating machinery or are working at heights, check the No Go Zone rules and ensure you have the necessary permits or a trained spotter on-site.

What to do in an emergency

Call 000 in an emergency.

If you see a damaged or downed powerline, stay at least 10 metres away, about the length of a bus, and always assume powerlines are live. Call SA Power Networks immediately on 13 13 66 to report the hazard.

If your equipment contacts a powerline, stay inside the vehicle if it’s safe to do so and call for help. If you must exit, jump well clear and land keeping your feet together and shuffle away to avoid electric shock.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility

Identifying the location of powerlines and maintaining safe distances can save lives. Review the safety information available below to help keep workers and the public stay safe:

• Understand specific work safety hazards and how to mitigate them at SafeWorks SA
• Use tools like Look Up and Live and Before You Dig Australia (BYDA)  to locate powerlines.
• Wires down safety
• Farm safety
• Call SA Power Networks on 13 13 66 to report hazards.

By taking these precautions, you can help ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. Don’t take risks—plan ahead, stay informed, and always work safely around powerlines.