Land owners urged to exercise caution when conducting burns near electrical assets

Land Owners Urged to Exercise Caution When Conducting Burns Near Electrical Assets

Preparations for this year's bushfire season are currently underway, with Energy Queensland and the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) urging land owners to prioritise safety when conducting hazard reduction burns near electrical assets.

Quick summary: Landowners planning controlled burns near power poles must clear vegetation within a five metre radius of the base of any power pole. Uncontrolled burns damaged more than a dozen powerpoles last season, cutting supply to entire communities and posing serious electrical safety risks to people and livestock.

Why Vegetation Clearance Matters for Electrical Safety

Ergon Work Group Leader Craig Maddy said, "More than a dozen powerpoles were brought down by landowners' burns getting out of control last year, bringing down poles, powerlines and cutting supply to entire communities in some cases."

"In addition to the inconvenience of widespread power disruptions, fallen power lines can cause serious injury or even death to people and livestock that come into contact with electrical equipment."

"So we're asking any landowners who are about to burn to ensure vegetation is cleared within a five metre radius of the base of a pole."

Key Precautions Before Conducting Burns Near Power Assets

Before lighting any hazard reduction burn, landowners should take precautions to protect both electrical infrastructure and their own safety, including:

• Clear all vegetation within a minimum of five metres from the base of any power pole
• Check for nearby solar installations, as burns can also threaten solar panels and associated wiring
• Notify neighbours if burns may affect shared electrical connections or solar assets
• Monitor wind and weather conditions to prevent burns getting out of control
• Contact your local energy network provider before burning near substations or transmission infrastructure

Solar installations on rural properties across Australia are increasingly common, and landowners should recognise solar equipment as another category of electrical assets requiring the same safety clearance as poles and wires. Damage to solar infrastructure from uncontrolled burns can be costly and disruptive, on top of the risks posed to standard electrical networks.

Understanding the Risks of Fallen Powerlines

Fallen powerlines present one of the most serious hazards during bushfire season. Contact with downed wires can cause severe injury or death to both humans and livestock, making safety around electrical assets a non-negotiable priority for anyone conducting burns on rural or regional properties.

Workers and contractors who regularly operate near electrical infrastructure should also review guidance such as our article on operators of large vehicles and machinery exercising caution near overhead powerlines, which outlines similar clearance principles for heavy equipment.

Building a Culture of Safety Around Electrical Assets

Maintaining safety around electrical assets requires ongoing vigilance, not just seasonal awareness. Businesses and landholders managing electrical risks year-round may benefit from formal documentation, such as an Electrical Safety Policy, to establish clear procedures for hazard identification and control.

For teams undertaking excavation or ground-disturbance work near underground electrical assets, our Excavating Near Assets SWMS template provides a structured approach to identifying and mitigating hazards before work begins.

Tradespeople working directly with electrical systems should also ensure appropriate first aid provisions are in place, such as those outlined in our Electrical Tradies First Aid Kit, designed specifically for the risks associated with electrical work.

Related Safety Resources

Similar caution has been echoed by other regulators nationally. Our coverage of SafeWork SA urging machinery operators to exercise caution around powerlines highlights comparable concerns in South Australia, while the Resources Regulator's caution regarding near-miss incidents reinforces the broader industry focus on hazard prevention near critical infrastructure.

Businesses seeking comprehensive guidance can also explore our full range of Electrical Management Plans and Electrical SWMS templates, both designed to support compliance and safe work practices across construction, manufacturing and utility sectors.

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