Working at height around live electrical installations

The purpose of this Safety Alert is to highlight to workers the dangers of working at heights around live electrical installations.

Background

An electrician was performing work from a ladder when he made contact with a nearby electric fence. The resulting electric shock caused the electrician to fall from the ladder. Fortunately the electrician’s fall was broken by a nearby worker and he received only minor injuries.

Contributing factors

• There were no signs alerting the worker to the presence of an electric fence
• The electrician failed to carry out a risk assessment before commencing work
• The electrician was working at height from an aluminium ladder next to a live electrical installation and was well earthed
• Fall prevention, arrest equipment or a more suitable work platform was not used.

Action required

• Undertake a site induction before commencing any work at a new site to identify site hazards
• Carry out a risk assessment to identify the risks and appropriate control measures to mitigate the risks
• If possible, isolate any nearby live electrical installations
• Use a non-conductive ladder (such as fiberglass) to eliminate a source of earthing.

Further information

Legislation

• Electricity Reform (Safety and Technical) Regulations 2000 (Part 4 and 5)

Australian Standards

• AS/NZS 3014:2003 Electrical Installations - Electric Fences
• AS/NZS 1892.1:1996 Portable Ladders Metal
• AS 1892.2:1992 Portable Ladders Timber
• AS/NZS 1892.5:2000 Portable Ladders - Selection, safe use and care

Codes of Practice

• Managing the risk of falls in housing construction
• Managing the risk of falls at workplaces

Information Bulletin

• Portable ladder safety