Safe Work Near Overhead Lines AIAC 10 th December 2008

1. Safe Work NearOverhead LinesAIAC10th December 2008 Bill Bates DMS CEng FIEE FIETHM Principal Electrical InspectorHealth & Safety Executive

2. Safe work near overhead lines Incident Analysis Safe Working Near Overhead Lines Innovation Prevention Initiative

3. Road shut after tractor brings down power lines Peterborough Today Published Date: 24 September 2008 By Tara Dundon TRAFFIC was brought to a standstill on the busy A1073 road near Peterborough yesterday (23 September) after a tractor hit an electricity pylon. Police closed the road fearing that overhead power cables might fall across the carriageways.Homes in the area were without power for about five hours.The incident occurred on the A1073, half a mile north of Mason's Bridge near Eye Green at 3pm yesterday.Hundreds of motorists and lorry drivers faced lengthy delays while emergency services secured the cables, which were hanging dangerously low over the road.The road was reopened at about 6pm after police and Highways Agency officials cut the power cable and removed it from the road.However, the road was then closed again at around 9pm to allow electricity board EDF energy to repair the cable. Incidents STOPPING TRAFFIC: The A1073 near Peterborough was shut after a tractor brought down power lines. Picture: ALAN STORER

4. Incidents – Vehicles

5. Incidents – Delivery Vehicles

6. Incidents – Delivery Vehicles

7. Incidents – Timber Collection

8. Incidents – Timber Collection

9. Incidents – Timber Collection

10. Incidents – Bale collection

11. Incidents – Combine Harvester

12. Incidents – Sprayer

13. Incidents – Vehicles

14. Incidents – Lifting Vehicles

15. Incidents – Access

16. Incidents - Scaffolding

17. Incidents – Construction

18. Incidents - Irrigation

19. Incidents – Storage

20. Incidents – Storage • Potato boxes

21. Incidents – Storage

22. Incidents – Leisure enterprises

23. Incidents Divine intervention:

24. Risk of Contact with Overhead Lines • Reported to HSE under RIDDOR: • 10 reported fatalities in 2005-06 • 1335 contacts with overhead lines (1998-2003) • 8 fatalities and 72 major injuries (2001-2002) • 8 fatalities and 51 major injuries (2002-2003) • In Agriculture, 31 fatalities (1992-2002)

25. Overhead Line Incident Statistics - Fatalities • Over 10 yr period ending 31 March 2007: • 136 persons were killed by coming into contact with electricity company equipment who were not engaged in activities associated with electricity supply (i.e. members of the public or employees engaged in other activities not associated with electricity supply) • 123 deaths (90%) associated with overhead lines • 24 deaths (18%) related to use of ladders, poles, scaffold, columns etc in close proximity to overhead lines • 19 deaths (14%)related to use of tippers, hiabs, harvesters etc in close proximity to overhead lines • Over last complete year (period 2006/7): • 7 deaths (out of total 20 deaths) attributed to such activities • Source: Electricity Incidents Database – data provided by duty holders under ESQCR Reg 31

26. Overhead Line Incident Statistics - Injuries & Near Misses • Injuries • Typically average 330 persons per year over last 10 years • For last complete year (2006/7), 316 persons injured • 53 injuries (17%) associated with contact with overhead power lines • 7 injuries (2%) related to use of ladders, poles etc in close proximity to overhead lines • 11 injuries (3%) related to use of tippers, hiabs, harvesters etc in close proximity to overhead lines • Near Misses • 4,321 recorded incidents in 2006/7 • 2,468 incidents (57%) related to contact with overhead power lines • 339 incidents (8%) related to use of tippers, hiabs, harvesters etc • 25 incidents (0.6%) related to use of ladders, poles etc • Source: Electricity Incidents Database – data provided by duty holders under ESQCR Reg 31

27. Overhead Line Incident Statistics - Summary Typically: • 4-8 deaths per year where persons engaged in work activities other than those associated with electricity supply come into contact with overhead power lines • 15-30 injuries • 350-500 near misses There is a significant probability of death or injury arising from contact with overhead power lines

28. My Incidents with Overhead Lines • Investigated serious incidents 2001-08: • 6 Fatalities and 4 serious injuries (2001-2008) • All not using safe system of work

29. Overhead Power Lines

30. Overhead Power Lines

31. Overhead Power Lines

32. Risk: • Overhead line strikes are potentially fatal even at 230 Volts. The effect of shock to the body can be calculated using the standard

33. Contact with Overhead Line • No Shock

34. Contact with Overhead Line • No Shock

35. Contact with Overhead Line • Shock

36. Contact with Overhead Line • Shock

37. Hierarchy of safety measures • 1 : Eliminate the risks • 2 : Implement risk reduction by design • 3 : Use safe system of work • 4 : Use trained and competent persons • 5 : Use protective equipment or PPE

38. Avoid Danger: • Plan the work - Decide if work can be carried out away from the line

39. Avoid Danger: • Consult if working within 9m of wood pole line, 15m of towers • Can the line be diverted or made dead? • Allow time for diversion of line • Pre-planned outages can make line dead

40. Identify appropriate precautions: • Essential for liaison at all times between all parties • Talk to local electricity company about precautions and agree action

41. Clearances • Identify clearances: • Passing • Working • Do not measure vertical distance with tape • Identify height and reach of vehicles • Significant Risk

42. Clearances

43. Clearances

44. Preliminary Requirements • Risk Assessment • Safe systems of work • Properly trained people • Pre-plan work • Identify work locations • Identify plant to be used

45. Preliminary Requirements • Site layout • Site Plans • Access routes • Passageways • Other restrictions

46. Control Work near lines: • Lines are treated live unless proved otherwise - lines can be reclosed or fail to trip • all people on site aware of danger and precautions including visitors • Adequate supervision and support

47. Work areas where work will be done beneath the line • Agricultural (1): • Assess for significant risk • Identify overhead lines and mark up on suitable plan or farm map, available at all times • Restrict activities within 9m of pole lines and 15m of tower lines • Arrange for alternative overhead lines at high risk areas

48. Work areas where work will be done beneath the line • Agricultural (2): • Mark safe routes and safe unloading areas • Use warning notices • May be impractical to erect barriers and goalposts • Check max heights for tall equipment • Restrict height of farm equipment to 4m

49. Work areas where work will be done beneath the line • Agricultural (3): • Train to know dangers and take precautions • Contractors and drivers to be instructed of precautions and routes

50. If you are involved in a vehicle - overhead line strike (1): Know what to do in the case of an incident: • stay in seat • keep others away • try to drive clear