'Shocking statistics' prompt SA powerlines safety message

South Australia’s electricity distributor and WHS regulator have used so-called ‘shocking statistics’ to highlight the need for vigilance working around overhead and underground powerlines.

Statistics

A total of 59 notifications of dangerous workplace incidents involving overhead or underground powerlines were received by SafeWork SA over the last three financial years.

Of those notifications, more than 40 involved powerlines being struck by plant and equipment such as trucks, cranes or excavators; seven involved workers accidently cutting a live powerline; and five involved a person striking a powerline while carrying construction material, including long metal items such as copper piping and metal roof purlins.

SafeWork SA received 26 notifications of workplace incidents involving powerlines in 2022–23, compared with 19 in 2023–24 and 14 in 2024–25. The number of statutory notices issued by SafeWork SA in relation to unsafe behaviour around powerlines has more than doubled — with 23 notices in 2024–25 compared with 11 prohibition or improvement notices in 2022–23.

Message

“While I’m pleased the number of incidents notified to SafeWork SA has declined in recent years, I am concerned that the seriousness of incidents has warranted an increase in statutory notices,” SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell said.

SafeWork SA said it will prosecute where companies fail to comply with their work health and safety obligations around powerlines, and pointed to an Adelaide demolition company that — after its excavator brought down a 415 V overhead powerline — was convicted and fined $140,000 in the South Australian Employment Tribunal earlier this year. The 2022 incident damaged two neighbouring properties, while electricity to 84 other properties was disrupted for six hours.

“Working near powerlines can be fatal or result in serious injury through electric shock. A first order of business on any job site, no matter the size, is to know precisely where electricity infrastructure is,” SA Power Networks External Affairs Manager Cecilia Schutz said.

“Not all powerlines are overhead and obvious — they may be underground or obscured from view,” Schutz added. “Maintaining a safe distance is critical — electricity can jump from powerlines to people or work equipment.”

To keep safe around powerlines, SafeWork SA and SA Power Networks advised the following:

• Always assume powerlines are live.
• If reasonably practicable, turn off the power.
• Identify and mark the location of powerlines with visible warning signs and ‘tiger tails’, which can be installed by SA Power Networks.
• Maintain safe working clearances — three metres from low-voltage and six metres from high-voltage powerlines.
• Stay at least 10 metres away from a damaged powerline.
• Call SA Power Networks on 13 13 66 if you see a downed powerline.
   

For further safety information, visit sapowernetworks.com.au, Electrical | SafeWork SA or SA.GOV.AU - Safe energy use.

Image credit: iStock.com/Daniel Balakov. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.