Code of Practice for personnel electrical safety for vegetation control work near live powerlines
This code details the requirements for vegetation control work carried out near the live conductors of overhead power lines and is to be read in conjunction with Electricity Regulations 1947 Regulation 316A.
The code has been developed to ensure the safety of the general public and workers cutting trees near powerlines.
Specific areas covered are:
- General principles
- General safety requirements
- Safe approach distances
- Vegetation clearances
- Work procedures
- Competency and authorisation
- Plant, tools and equipment
Your work practices must comply with this mandatory code.
Download the Code of Practice and supporting publications
- Code of practice for personnel electrical safety for vegetation control work near live powerlines
- Workers guide to the code of practice for personnel electrical safety for vegetation control work near live powerlines
- Changes to the Code of Practice for personnel electrical safety for vegetation control work near live powerlines
Training information
Online assessment for the Code of Practice for Vegetation Worker Electrical Safety
One of the requirements of the Code of Practice is that all personnel who carry out vegetation control work near powerlines must successfully complete the online assessment.
Completing this assessment is one of the requirements for being a safety observer before moving on to being a low voltage and high voltage vegetation control worker.
The best time to familiarise yourself with the Code of Practice and complete this assessment is when you start as a ground worker. Building and Energy strongly encourages everyone in the arboriculture industry to complete this assessment.
Working near powerlines is dangerous and the knowledge you gain could save a life.
There are no fees or pre-requisites for completing this assessment. 80% is the necessary passing score.
It is recommended that you read the Code of Practice in its entirety before proceeding with the assessment. The Code of Practice can be referred to during the assessment. To assist you with understanding the Code of Practice, you can also refer to the Worker’s guide to the code of practice.
Upon successful completion, you can download a certificate to keep for your records. You may be asked to provide a copy of this certificate when signing up for courses with a registered training organisation. Your employer may also require a copy. Building and Energy also keeps a record.
Building and Energy uses Energy Space to manage the Code of Practice assessment. The following link will take you to the Energy Space login page.
Follow the Energy Space instructions to create a new account. If you are returning to re-attempt the assessment, log in as an existing user.
Required training units
The training units required under the Code of Practice have been selected from the Certificate II in ESI (Electrical Supply Industry) - Powerline Vegetation Control. Workers may choose to take further steps to gain a recognised qualification, rather than a certificate of attainment issued by an RTO for the individual units required by the Code of Practice.
Confirmed training providers are:
Recognition of Prior Learning by an RTO will only be required for training units that are prerequisites for mandatory training units in the Code.
Stay clear, stay safe - Fact sheet
Cutting trees near powerlines can be deadly and dangerous
To help maintain an acceptable level of safety and reduce the possibility of incidents, Building and Energy has developed a fact sheet for vegetation control and safety near powerlines.
Download the fact sheet:
Stay clear, stay safe – Cutting trees near powerlines can be deadly and dangerous
Guidelines for the management of vegetation near powerlines
The purpose of this document is to clarify the responsibilities for controlling and clearing vegetation around overhead power lines. Management includes pruning, cutting and trimming, removing vegetation and disposing of vegetation endangering powerlines.
Building and Energy, as the State’s energy industry technical and safety regulator, has developed these guidelines with the network operators in Western Australia.
The requirements apply to power lines owned and operated by network operators throughout the State.
The responsibilities set out in these guidelines are based on the policy framework developed through extensive community consultation prior to being enacted in legislation.
This publication has been produced by Building and Energy, a division of the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety. However, for enquiries about vegetation control around overhead power lines, telephone the relevant network operator:
- Western Power on 13 13 51; or
- Horizon Power on 13 23 51.
Download the guidelines:
Guidelines for the management of vegetation near powerlines
