Dangers of Overhead Lines Background

1. 05/96 HSE Bulletin Committed to Safety Dangers of Overhead Lines Background On 10 June 1996 a tractor trailer unit loaded with a Caterpillar 583 pipe layer contacted an overhead power line as it travelled between Fahud and Yibal. Only minor damage was sustained to the 33 000 volt power lines however the incident could have caused a fatality. People have been electrocuted and killed in Oman when cranes or high vehicles have touched overhead power lines. Recommendations to prevent recurrence To prevent a similar incident from happening again it is essential that the height of each truck load is verified prior to commencing the journey. Goal posts are usually placed on PDO roads where overhead lines cross the roadway. These barriers are placed to enable drivers to check that they may pass under overhead power lines safely. If goal post barriers are not provided drivers of vehicles with loads higher than five meters must not pass under the overhead line unless they have been issued with a Clearance Certificate. Supervisors of high loads must ensure that they are aware of height clearance along the route and that the drivers are adequately briefed. Supervisors should apply for a Clearance Certificate from the Asset Custodian before allowing loads higher than five meters to proceed on routes that have over head line crossings that have not been fitted with goal post barriers. The risks involved with transporting high loads should be discussed at tool box talks and safety meetings. Learning Points Transporting loads that are higher than normal can be hazardous. The hazard can be presented to personnel equipment and even the environment should the load come too close to the overhead line. In many cases power in the overhead line can "jump" just by coming too close. The load doesn't have to touch the power line for an electric arc to occur. Contact with an overhead power line can result in burns to workers fires fatalities and extensive damage to the equipment. Additional losses such as oil deferment equipment shutdown and power failures can result from a power line contact. Transporting high loads is risky business and extra care needs to be taken when approaching overhead lines. For more information on the incident contact AEF/2 on 67-3372. The contents of this Safety Alert should be communicated to all PDO and Contractor employees by Section Heads and Contract Holders. Records of the discussion should be maintained for review.