Overhead power lines run across many residential and commercial sites, and scaffolding can bring workers and equipment dangerously close to them.
Scaffold tubes, tools, building materials and workers can all enter unsafe distances from live electrical conductors. Electricity can also arc across a gap, so a worker does not need to touch a power line directly to suffer a serious or potentially fatal electric shock.
That is why we identify overhead services before we plan and install the scaffold.
Photo: New build scaffold positioned alongside overhead power lines, highlighting the importance of identifying electrical hazards during the planning stage.
⚡ Industry Update
WorkSafe New Zealand requires scaffolders and other contractors to identify and manage electrical hazards, including overhead services, during the planning and design stages of the work.
As a general starting point, keep scaffolding, workers, tools and materials at least 4 metres away from overhead power lines. If the work needs to move within that distance, obtain the appropriate written consent and put additional safety controls in place. WorkSafe also requires greater minimum approach distances for some higher-voltage lines.
For low-voltage overhead service lines, WorkSafe recommends temporarily isolating the electricity supply wherever work needs to take place nearby.
If isolation is not reasonably practicable, follow the required minimum approach distances. When work takes place between 0.5 metres and 4 metres from a live low-voltage line, obtain written consent from the appropriate line owner or property owner. If a person, tool or piece of equipment could come within 0.5 metres of the line, isolate the electricity supply before starting work.
Here in Wellington, Wellington Electricity also applies the 4 metre rule around its overhead network. If people, equipment, machinery or scaffolding need to work within that distance, obtain a Close Approach Consent before work begins.
Why It Matters
Scaffolding deserves particular attention around electrical hazards because most scaffold systems use conductive metal, and multiple trades often work from the structure throughout a project.
The electrical risk remains even after the crew finishes erecting the scaffold.
Roofers, painters, builders and other contractors may carry long materials, tools or equipment along the scaffold platforms. Simply lifting a length of metal roofing, flashing or a scaffold component in the wrong direction can quickly reduce the safe distance between a worker and a live power line.
Weather can also change the risk. Strong winds can cause overhead power lines to move or sway, so Wellington Electricity recommends monitoring site conditions.
For this reason, we need to identify the hazard, plan the scaffold correctly and put the right controls in place from the very beginning.
Project Spotlight
Power Lines Identified Before We Build
When Safe Scaffolding identifies an overhead service line near a proposed scaffold, we assess the risk before installation begins.
Depending on the location of the line and the work taking place, we may:
- temporarily isolate the electrical supply
- obtain the appropriate Close Approach Consent
- arrange approved electrical line protection or sleeving
- adjust the scaffold layout or working platforms
- set up exclusion zones or physical barriers
- install clear electrical hazard signage
- coordinate the required controls with the client and other contractors using the scaffold.
A competent electrical worker must install, or directly supervise the installation of, any electrical sleeving or line protection.
Photo: Close-up of protective power line sleeving in place beside the scaffold, providing a clear visual warning around the electrical hazard.
One important point is that sleeving does not make a power line safe to touch or work against.
WorkSafe advises that line coverings such as tiger tails can provide additional protection and give workers a highly visible warning. However, workers should never assume an overhead line is safe to touch simply because it appears insulated.
By arranging the correct electrical controls before installation, we can erect the scaffold safely and avoid unnecessary delays when our crew arrives on site.
Safety Tips
👀 Look Up Before You Build
Overhead lines should form part of the initial site assessment. Check not only the building itself, but also access areas, driveways, truck unloading zones and anywhere scaffold components will be carried.
📏 Remember the 4 Metre Rule
Unless the appropriate consent and controls are in place, keep workers, scaffold, tools and equipment at least 4 metres from overhead electrical conductors.
🔌 Isolate Where Possible
If work needs to occur close to a low-voltage service line, temporarily disconnecting the supply provides the strongest electrical control. WorkSafe describes isolation as the safest option.
⚡ Never Assume a Line Is Safe
Treat overhead electrical lines as live unless the appropriate electrical authority or competent electrical worker has confirmed otherwise.
🔧 Think Beyond the Scaffold
The safe distance applies not only to the scaffold itself. Consider scaffold tubes during erection and dismantling, roofing sheets, ladders, tools and anything else workers could lift or carry near the line.
🌬️ Keep Monitoring the Site
Conditions can change once scaffolding has been erected. Wind can cause lines to move, work methods may change and additional trades may arrive on site. Electrical controls should be communicated to everyone who will be working in the affected area.
Photo: Scaffold installed near overhead power lines with protective line sleeving in place.
Ask Safe
“Can’t we just sleeve the power line?”
Not necessarily.
Approved line covering or sleeving can form an important part of the safety controls, but sleeving alone does not make a live power line safe to touch or work against.
Before we install the scaffold, we assess the type and voltage of the power line, its distance from the proposed scaffold and the work that contractors will carry out from the scaffold.
Depending on the site, we may need to arrange isolation, obtain written Close Approach Consent, organise approved line protection, install physical barriers, or adjust the scaffold design. In some situations, we may use a combination of these controls.
That’s why we need to identify any overhead power lines before we schedule your scaffold installation.
If you’re planning building, roofing, painting or maintenance work and have overhead power lines near the property, let us know when you request your scaffold quote.
Our team can assess the site, identify the required controls and help coordinate the necessary electrical work before installation. This keeps our scaffolders, other trades and your property safe while helping the project stay on track.
Safe planning starts before the first scaffold standard hits the ground. ⚡🏗️