Working near overhead electrical service lines (5 February 2024)
A 68-year-old worker was painting the façade of four adjoining buildings when they fell approximately 6-8 metres to the ground below sustaining fatal injuries. A ladder was used to reach the awning from the ground and a second ladder was used on top of the awning. The worker was standing on the ladder on top of the awning on the 1st floor when it appears they have made contact with an overhead electrical service line directly above the ladder.
![A ladder leaning on the outside of a 2 storey building.](https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0008/1307843/falls-from-heights.jpg)
![A ladder positioned on an awning, leaning on a multi-storey building.](https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0009/1307844/falls-from-heights-2.jpg)
Safety information
Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with working near overhead powerlines.
Ensure you:
- you eliminate the risk by arranging for the electricity supply authority to isolate the electricity supply for the duration of the work
- you clearly identify the height and voltage of high and low voltage power lines, including overhead service lines to buildings
- you relocate work away from overhead service lines wherever possible
- you only perform work near low voltage overhead services lines in accordance with approach distances as listed within the “Code of Practice: Work near overhead power lines” (for example, 0.5m when using handheld tools)
- you minimise the risk by substituting and/or using engineering controls (such as using an insulated fibreglass extension handle on a paint roller)
Related guidance material
- Code of Practice – Work near overhead power lines (PDF, 3569.89 KB)
- Handling conductive material near overhead powerlines
- Work near overhead power lines: the basics
- Incident information release – Overhead powerline contact fatality
- Incident information release – Contact with overhead powerlines
- Safety alert – Mobile plant operating near overhead power lines
- Hazards A-Z – Power lines