Queenslanders urged to stay alert around powerlines

Queenslanders Urged to Stay Alert Around Powerlines

Two electricity companies have recently teamed up to remind Queenslanders to stay alert around poles and wires, following a high number of incidents occurring this year.

Ergon Energy Network and Energex are promoting their safety campaign, urging individuals working near powerlines to "Look Up and Live" after a concerning rise in incidents involving contact with electrical infrastructure.

Rising Incidents Prompt Urgent Safety Advice

"It's frightening that we are only a few months into the year, and there have been 175 potentially lethal cases of vehicles coming into contact with poles and wires on our networks," Area Manager Chris Graham said.

"So many of these incidents could have been avoided with a bit more attention given by the driver of the vehicle or equipment."

Graham's comments highlight why practical advice matters for anyone operating machinery or vehicles near powerlines. Contact with electrical networks can prove fatal within seconds, making constant vigilance essential rather than optional for workers across Queensland.

Why Electrical Safety Awareness Matters

Energy infrastructure across Queensland supports homes, businesses and essential services, so protecting this network benefits the entire community. When drivers or equipment operators fail to look up before operating near poles and wires, consequences can be severe and irreversible.

Electrical safety works best when it becomes second nature. Before starting any task near overhead lines, operators should:

• Check for powerlines above worksites before raising equipment or machinery
• Maintain safe clearance distances from all electrical infrastructure
• Treat every wire as live, even if it appears disconnected
• Report damaged poles or exposed wiring to the relevant energy provider immediately

These steps form the foundation of safe practice for tradespeople, machinery operators and anyone working in proximity to electrical assets. For more detailed guidance, our Electric Powerlines Working Near SWMS template provides comprehensive procedures for managing this risk on site.

Building a Safety-First Culture

Employers play a critical role in reinforcing safe behaviour around electrical hazards. Regular toolbox talks, clear signage and updated safe work method statements all contribute to reducing preventable incidents.

Workers operating cranes, elevated platforms or agricultural machinery face particular risk, since these vehicles frequently exceed standard clearance heights near powerlines. Similar concerns have been raised interstate, with SA farmers urged to prioritise safety around powerlines in a comparable campaign addressing rural electrical risks.

This latest push follows earlier efforts, including when Ergon Energy urged caution around powerlines, reflecting an ongoing commitment across Australia to reducing electrical contact incidents through consistent public messaging.

Practical Steps for Safer Worksites

Beyond powerline awareness, businesses should ensure safe systems extend across all high-risk equipment. Our Conveyor Belts Working Around SOP and Working Around Helicopters SWMS offer further examples of documented procedures designed to keep personnel safe around specialised machinery and aviation operations.

Seasonal risks also deserve attention. Household tasks such as those covered when Queenslanders were urged to put up Christmas lights safely demonstrate that electrical awareness extends well beyond commercial worksites and into everyday community life.

Where to Find Further Information

For further information on this campaign, read more here. Queensland residents and workers are encouraged to stay informed, follow official safety guidance and report any electrical hazards promptly to protect themselves and others.