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Method Statement 3.2 - Safe Working in the Vicinity of Overhead Services

Document Information

Field Value
Document Reference MS 3.2
Issue Number 2
Issue Date 1 June 2026
Next Review 1 June 2027
Prepared By Sean Ashton
Approved By Aaron Mason, Director
Task No Task PPE to be worn Plant required Reference is made to the Team Pack risk assessment
3.2. Safe Working in the Vicinity of Overhead Services As defined by on-site risk assessment. Restricting Devices, "Goal Posts", Nets, Marker Tape. See Risk Assessment RA04 — Overhead Services

Hazards

• Manual Handling
• Stored Energy in the Pipe
• Defective Plant and Equipment
• Towing Techniques
• Incorrect Loading
• Insufficient Space

Environmental Impacts

• Noise
• Dust
• Light From Night working

Customer Impacts

• Noise
• Dust
• Access

Training Required

As Per IMR specific contract training matrix

Additional Plant and Equipment

• Winch/Tractor Winch
• Pipe Bursting/Slip Lining Rig
• Mechanical Excavator

Permits Required

As Per IMR specific contract specifications and Client requirements.

COSHH Assessment Required

• 2 Stroke Oil
• Diesel/Petrol
• Line Marker Spray
• Lubricating Spray

Sequence of Operations and Control Methods

Sequence of Operations and Control Methods: (detail proposed / agreed methods, and safe systems of work)

The most effective way to prevent contact with overhead lines is by not carrying out work where there is a risk of contact. If this can not be avoided then the following will have to followed

• Upon arrival on site the team leader shall survey the area to ensure all potential risks have been identified.

• All operatives involved in the works shall wear all necessary PPE as required by company policy and procedures and the identified control measures within the risk assessment process. Risk assessment should consider the following:

o Voltage and height above ground of the wires (Height should be measured by a suitably trained person using non-contact measuring devices).

o Nature of the work and whether it will be carried out close to or underneath the overhead line, including whether access is needed underneath the wires;

o Size and reach of any machinery or equipment to be used near the overhead line;

o Safe clearance distance needed between the wires and the machinery or equipment and any structures being erected. If in any doubt, the overhead line's owner will be able to advise you on safe clearance distances;

o Site conditions, eg undulating terrain may affect stability of plant etc;

o Competence, supervision and training of people working at the site.

• The team leader shall be responsible for ensuring the necessary plans of all overhead line services in the area are available.

• Team leader shall confirm the services located with other team members and complete the onsite daily risk assessment.

• All works shall be carried out carefully and follow the safe avoidance practices outlined in the Health and Safety document HSE Guidance Note (GS) 6.

• Advice should always be sort from the network owner prior to commencing work in the vicinity of overhead power lines. Ensure safety distances are obtained and confirmed form the relevant Distribution Network Operator (DNO). Remember electricity can jump large distances especially in wet, damp and moist conditions (ie fog/mist).

Working near but not underneath overhead lines – the use of barriers

• Erect barriers where there will be no work or passage of machinery or equipment under the line. This area is not be used to store materials or machinery.

  1. Steel drums: highlight them by painting them with, for example, red and white horizontal stripes.

  2. Wire fence: Highlight with red and white flags on the fence wire.

• The safety zone should extend 6 m horizontally from the nearest wire on either side of the overhead line. Further advice may be needed from the DNO.

• Where plant such as a crane is operating in the area, additional high-level indication should be erected to warn the operators.

Passing underneath overhead lines

• If equipment or machinery capable of breaching the safety clearance distance has to pass underneath the overhead line, you will need to create a passageway through the barriers, as illustrated in Figure 5. In this situation:

  1. Keep the number of passageways to a minimum;

  2. Define the route of the passageway using fences and erect goalposts at each end to act as gateways using a rigid, non-conducting material, eg timber or plastic pipe, for the goalposts, highlighted with, for example, red and white stripes;

  3. If the passageway is too wide to be spanned by a rigid non-conducting goalpost, you may have to use tensioned steel wire, earthed at each end, or plastic ropes with bunting attached. These should be positioned further away from the overhead line to prevent them being stretched and the safety clearances being reduced by plant moving towards the line;

  4. Ensure the surface of the passageway is levelled, formed-up and well maintained to prevent undue tilting or bouncing of the equipment;

  5. Use warning notices at either side of the passageway, on or near the goalposts and on approaches to the crossing giving the crossbar clearance height and instructing drivers to lower jibs, booms, tipper bodies etc and to keep below this height while crossing;

  6. Ensure that the barriers and goalposts are maintained.

Working underneath overhead lines

• Where work has to be carried out close to or underneath overhead lines, eg road works, pipe laying, grass cutting, farming, and erection of structures, and there is no risk of accidental contact or safe clearance distances being breached, no further precautionary measures are required.

• If you cannot avoid transitory or short-duration, ground-level work where there is a risk of contact carefully assess the risks and precautionary measures. Find out if the overhead line can be switched off for the duration of the work. If this cannot be done:

  1. refer to the Energy Networks Association (ENA) publication Look Out Look Up! A Guide to the Safe Use of Mechanical Plant in the Vicinity of Electricity Overhead Lines. This advises establishing exclusion zones around the line and any other equipment that may be fitted to the pole or pylon. The minimum extent of these zones varies according to the voltage of the line, as follows:

    • low-voltage line – 1 m;
    • 11 kV and 33 kV lines – 3 m;
    • 132 kV line – 6 m;
    • 275 kV and 400 kV lines – 7 m;
    • No part of plant or equipment such as ladders, poles and hand tools be able to encroach within these zones. Allow for uncertainty in measuring the distances and for the possibility of unexpected movement of the equipment due, for example, to wind conditions;

  2. Carry long objects horizontally and close to the ground and position vehicles so that no part can reach into the exclusion zone, even when fully extended. Machinery such as cranes and excavators should be modified by adding physical restraints to prevent them reaching into the exclusion zone.

  3. Ensure that workers, including any contractors, understand the risks and are provided with instructions about the risk prevention measures;

  4. Arrange for the work to be directly supervised by someone who is familiar with the risks and can make sure that the required safety precautions are observed;

  5. If you are in any doubt about the use of exclusion zones or how to interpret the ENA document, you should consult the owner of the overhead line.

• Work is not take place close to or under an overhead line during darkness or poor visibility conditions.

WARNING – THE POWER LINE MAY TRIP OUT BUT WILL RE-ENERGISE AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT WARNING.

  • HSE Guidance Note GS6: Avoiding Danger from Overhead Power Lines
  • Energy Networks Association (ENA) publication: Look Out Look Up! A Guide to the Safe Use of Mechanical Plant in the Vicinity of Electricity Overhead Lines