Ensuring Electrical Safety During Your Project

Working on any project that involves nearby electrical power lines, whether they are buried underground or strung overhead, requires you to take every necessary safety precaution. Failing to deal with electrical lines safely poses a severe risk to life. Tragically, dangerous practices have led to fatal accidents here in the UK.

Protecting Yourself When Digging Near Buried Cables

Before you begin any construction work that involves breaking ground, it is crucial to meticulously pinpoint, identify, and clearly mark all underground electrical cables. Disturbing these cables can cause severe, potentially deadly, injuries and burns. You cannot tell if a cable is live simply by looking at it. Therefore, you might need to arrange for them to be de-energised (switched off and made safe) before you start working.

Thorough preparation is essential before you even pick up a spade. Make sure you have all the relevant details about any possible underground utilities, including up-to-date cable records. You should keep these records accessible on your site throughout the project. Furthermore, you must ensure that only qualified individuals, who are fully aware of and follow all required safety measures, carry out this work.

Staying Safe Around Overhead Power Lines

You must take similar precautions when your work involves electricity at height. Overhead power lines present significant dangers. If you are using equipment like lorry-mounted cranes, elevated work platforms, scaffolding, ladders, or other types of cranes, you are particularly vulnerable. Always remember that electricity can ‘jump’ through the air, meaning you don't even need to make direct contact with power lines to be at risk.

Careful planning is vital before you start any work. Identify any power lines located directly above your project or in its immediate vicinity. You should always assume these lines are live unless someone has explicitly proven otherwise. If possible, your best option is to avoid working near overhead lines entirely.

If avoiding them isn't possible, you have a few options to consider:

• Arrange for the power lines to be redirected away from your work area.

• Have the lines switched off for the entire duration of your project.

Should neither of these options be feasible, you must restrict access to the power lines and limit any work in their close proximity as much as you possibly can.

For more detailed information, you might find these resources helpful:

1. Find your network operator