Overhead power line safety
You don’t even have to touch an overhead powerline for it to be fatal. Electricity can jump from powerlines to metal objects like ladders or boat masts in an instant.
Many outdoor activities can be hazardous around powerlines including boating, hot air ballooning, construction work, parachuting, kite flying and playing in the street or park.
Make sure you always:
- Keep a safe distance or clearance from overhead powerlines
- Consider appropriate clearances when working around powerlines as the safe distance can vary according to the size and voltage of the powerline
- Look up to check the location and distance of powerlines before beginning any outdoor activity
- Set-up or build structures well away from powerlines
Contact with overhead powerlines
If a vehicle does contact overhead powerlines it will become 'live' and the electricity will attempt to pass through it to the ground.
Print off our fact sheet to find out what to do if a vehicle contacts powerlines.
Important safety tips
- Remain in the vehicle as escape is very risky.
- Never approach, attempt to rescue or allow others to approach any machinery or vehicles in contact with power lines.
- Stay a minimum of 8 metres from the vehicle (to be safe stay at least a bus length bus away).
- Treat all power lines as if they are ‘live’.
- Call 000 and Ausgrid on 13 13 88 immediately.
- Get competent person should inspect all tyres,bearings and brakes before continued use of the vehicle.