SafeWork SA urges machinery operators to exercise caution around powerlines

SafeWork SA and the Office of the Technical Regulator (OTR) have jointly issued a warning following a series of incidents where machinery has come into contact with live powerlines or scaffolds have been erected too close to safe clearance distances.

The safety watchdog said working in close proximity to underground or overhead powerlines has the potential to be deadly.

SafeWork SA has been notified of 10 incidents this year where scaffolds or plant equipment have breached safe clearance distances to underground or overhead utilities.

“While no serious injuries were sustained in any of the incidents, they all had the potential to cause serious injury or death,” SafeWork SA said.

Additional information is available on the SafeWork SA website.