Overhead Powerline Construction & Maintenance SWMS (ASP-authorised)

Overhead powerline construction and maintenance covers the authorised work performed on aerial conductors, service mains, and pole-mounted apparatus by Level 2 and Level 3 Accredited Service Providers (NSW) and equivalent network-operator-authorised staff in other states. The work includes pole erection, conductor stringing and tensioning, sag adjustment, jumper and tap connection, transformer and recloser installation, and breakdown response on the distribution network. The work triggers two separate High-Risk Construction Work categories under WHS Regulation s. 291 — work on or near energised electrical installations, and falls greater than 2 metres. Both apply simultaneously and both must be addressed in the SWMS. This SWMS is for authorised line workers performing contact work on the conductors themselves; the separate Overhead Power — Working Near SWMS covers proximity awareness for general trades whose work brings them near overhead conductors with no contact intent. The applicable framework includes ENA NENS 04 (industry guidance widely adopted as the operational baseline for distribution-network work) and AS/NZS 7000 (Overhead line design). State-level No-Go Zone frameworks define the minimum approach distances enforceable under each state's Electrical Safety Act. NSW work additionally requires compliance with the network operator's connection conditions and ASP authorisation specific to the network and the work class.

Hazards identified

11 hazards covered, sorted by priority.

Control measures

Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.

1. 1ASP authorisation — Level 2 for service mains and metering connections, Level 3 for sub-transmission and substation work above the connection point. Authorisation is non-transferable between networks; verify the authorisation matches the work location and the network operator (Ausgrid, Endeavour, Essential Energy, Energex, Ergon, AusNet, Powercor, etc.).
2. 2Network operator permit-to-work issued before any work commences. The permit identifies the conductor section, the isolation and earthing arrangements, the access conditions, and the authorised workers.
3. 3Where reasonably practicable, isolate the worked conductor and apply earths at both ends of the work section. Working dead is the default; live work proceeds only under additional Live Work Policy authorisation.
4. 4Test-before-touch on every conductor using a calibrated HV voltage detector before any worker contacts the conductor. Test the detector on a known live source immediately before and after.
5. 5Pole inspection before any worker climbs — visual and tap test for timber poles, base inspection for corrosion on steel poles. If the pole condition is in any doubt, work from an EWP rather than climbing.
6. 6Fall protection at all times above 2 metres — twin-tail lanyard with rated anchors, harness inspected within 6 months. Pole-top work uses pole straps in addition to fall arrest.
7. 7Pole-top rescue equipment on site for every job involving climbing — rescue rope, descender, with at least one ground worker trained and current in pole-top rescue. Rescue must be capable of completion within 15 minutes of fall arrest to mitigate suspension trauma risk.
8. 8Powered mobile plant operated by a competent operator with verified clearance from overhead conductors — observed by a spotter on the ground who can call halt. EWP boom or crane jib must not enter the No Go Zone at any time without conductor isolation.
9. 9Induced voltage check on multi-circuit poles before contact — test on the conductor under work and apply additional earths if induced voltage is detected.
10. 10Traffic management plan compliant with AS 1742 series for any work in road reserves. Lane closures, traffic controllers, and approved signage as required by the road authority.
11. 11HV-rated PPE — insulating gloves rated to working voltage, arc-rated clothing system, hard hat with chin strap, dielectric footwear. PPE inspected before each shift.
12. 12Heat stress monitoring — work-rest rotation in summer ambient above 30 °C, mandatory hydration breaks, no climbing in extreme heat without supervisor authorisation.
13. 13Bushfire risk controls during declared fire-risk periods — no hot work, no vegetation contact, network operator total fire ban day procedures observed.
14. 14Tool tethering for any tools used at height to prevent dropped-object incidents. All ground workers within the drop zone wear hard hats and stay clear of the work area beneath the climber.
15. 15Pre-start brief covering the work scope, the pole and conductor condition, the isolation and earthing arrangements, the rescue plan, the traffic management, and the conditions under which work would be suspended (weather, equipment fault, conductor anomaly).

Applicable Codes of Practice

High-Risk Construction Work triggered

Worked example

A Level 2 Accredited Service Provider crew in Newcastle is engaged by a developer to install three new 11 kV transformer connections on a residential subdivision. The work involves pole erection, conductor stringing from existing distribution feeders, transformer installation on each pole, and energisation under Ausgrid permit. Job value is $48,000 over five days. Before any work commences, the crew leader issues this SWMS to the principal contractor and to Ausgrid. The work proceeds under an Ausgrid permit-to-work specifying the isolated feeder section, earthing at both ends, traffic management plan for the active street, and the authorised personnel. Pole inspection identifies one pole with surface checking that is approved for climb after engineering review. The crew works from EWPs for the conductor stringing — twin-tail lanyards with rated EWP anchors, pole-top rescue equipment on site with one ground worker current in rescue training. Traffic controllers are deployed under the approved TMP. Stringing tension is set per the network operator's design specification. Energisation is performed by the Ausgrid switching operator after the permit is closed. The total documentation includes the SWMS, the network permit, the TMP, the EWP pre-start checks, the pole inspection record, and the energisation handover.

Related legislation

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) — Sections 19, 31, 32, 46–49, 242B
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (NSW) — Sections 291 (HRCW definition), 299 (SWMS), 78–79 (falls), 309 (WHS management plan)
• Electrical Safety Act 2017 (NSW) and Electrical Safety Regulation 2018 (NSW) — including ASP authorisation requirements
• AS/NZS 7000 — Overhead line design — Detailed procedures
• ENA NENS 04 — National Electricity Network Safety Code (industry guideline)

Frequently asked questions