Why Overhead Powerline Awareness Isn’t Just for Electrical Workers
When most people think about overhead powerline safety, they picture electricians or lineworkers. But in reality, electrical contact incidents often involve people who don’t hold electrical licences — machine operators, traffic controllers, civil contractors, landscapers, and labourers. These workers aren’t always trained to recognise electrical risks, and that’s exactly where serious incidents happen.
Overhead powerline awareness isn’t just for electrical workers. It’s essential for anyone who works near live electrical infrastructure, especially in high-risk environments like construction sites, public roads, and utility corridors.
This article explains why overhead powerline training is relevant to a wide range of workers and what you can do to ensure your site stays safe and compliant.
The risk extends beyond electricians
Many jobs require workers to operate near overhead powerlines without performing electrical work. Crane operators, for example, may need to lift loads near live infrastructure. Excavator drivers, scaffolders, and arborists often work within striking distance of conductors. In each case, one wrong move could result in contact with a live wire.
These situations carry a high risk of electrocution, arc flash, or secondary injuries caused by equipment failure. That’s why SafeWork NSW and network authorities require training for anyone who works within specified distances of overhead lines — not just electricians.
Untrained workers are often the most vulnerable
Electrical workers know how to assess risks, read network maps, and check for isolation. Non-electrical workers often don’t — and without training, they’re more likely to make incorrect assumptions about whether a powerline is live, insulated, or safe to work near.
Many overhead lines are not insulated and must always be treated as live. Even indirect contact — like a crane boom entering an exclusion zone — can trigger arc flash, power surges, or fatal injuries. Powerline awareness training helps close this knowledge gap.
Training helps prevent the most common incidents
Most powerline-related incidents on non-electrical worksites come down to the same few errors:
- Entering exclusion zones with plant or machinery
- Misjudging the height of overhead lines
- Failing to use spotters or risk assessments
- Assuming lines are insulated or inactive
- Using untrained workers on high-risk tasks
Training helps prevent these errors by teaching workers how to recognise risks, plan safe work, and follow the correct procedures. It also improves communication between electrical and non-electrical crews — which is often where things break down.
Who needs powerline awareness training?
If you work near overhead powerlines and don’t hold electrical qualifications, you likely need to complete the nationally recognised unit of competency UETDREL006 — Work safely in the vicinity of live electrical apparatus as a non-electrical worker.
This unit is included in IAC’s crane and plant training, and it’s required for many operators and civil contractors working under Level 1 or Level 2 ASP projects.
Some worksites or network providers may also require you to complete additional safety training, including CPR, LVR, or specific rescue units.
Overhead powerline awareness is about more than compliance
Yes, this training is mandatory — but it’s also about protecting your team. One preventable incident can have devastating consequences. Training ensures your team understands the risks, works to procedure, and knows how to respond if something goes wrong.
At IAC Safety Services, we provide nationally recognised powerline awareness training that’s tailored to the electrical supply industry in NSW. Whether you’re operating plant, supervising a team, or supporting an ASP crew, we’ll help you stay safe and compliant on site.
Visit our course information page to learn more or contact us directly to schedule a session.
