Western Power Safe Work Method Statement

Task details
Description
Transmission conductor stringing
DM
10696968
Approved by
Work Practices Manager
Review team
SWMS Development
Approval date
October 2015
Qualifications/Licences required
Valid Western Power Authorisations for the Task/ Network Authority Card (correct level of authorisation)
Permits required
Electrical Access Permit (EAP)
Which Safety LifeSavers are required for this task?

Potential hazards associated with the task

Category

Hazard

1. Working at heights

Ladders
Lifting equipment, EWP
Scaffolding
Stairs / platforms
Working at height
Working above others
Multiple work requiring EWPs

2. Working with electricity

Static electricity / induction

Substations / switch rooms
Underground cables
Contact with electrical equipment
Electrical cables
High voltage equipment
Overhead cables
Non-compliant earths, e.g. tagged/tested

3. Radiation

Infra-red
Microwaves
Ultraviolet light, i.e. sun
X-ray
Laser

4. Mechanical

Abrasive blasting / grinding

Auto-start equipment
Conveyors
Equipment failure
Hand and power tool
Impact and crushing areas
Pinch / cutting points
Residual / stored energy
Uncontrolled movement
Unguarded moving parts
Welding or cutting
Crimping / connecting

Category

5. Pressure

Hazard

6. Human factors

Rushing
Complacency
Fatigue
Unclear work direction
Stress / anxiety / frustration
Lack of knowledge
Poor communications
Negative attitudes

7. Using mobile plant

Traffic / pedestrian interaction / collision

Uneven terrain
Unlicensed / untrained operators
Vehicle instability
Vehicle access

8. Manual handling
(ergonomic)

9. Environment

Western Power Safe Work Method Statement Transmission Conductor Stringing

Category

Hazard

10. Workplace

Asbestos
Confined space / void space
Falling objects
General access
Housekeeping
Illumination / lighting
Noise, i.e. exposure / nuisance
Poor ventilation
Protrusions
Restricted visibility
Restricted work area
Slip and trip hazards
Unauthorised personnel
Unlabelled controls
Vibration
Wet / slippery
Wind / storm activity
Fog / mist / smoke
Working in isolation
Dust / particulates

11. Chemical

Chemicals / reagents
Fumes / vapour / mist, e.g. SF6
Flammable gases
Handling flammable materials
Hazardous chemical exposure
Solid chemical
Splashes / burns
Spills to ground or work area

12. Thermal

Cold ambient temperature

Heat ambient temperature
Hot materials / fluids
Hot surfaces
UV exposure

Competitive pressures
Compressed gases / air
Fluid
High pressure steam
Hydraulic
Water

Awkward / unbalanced load

High / low reach
High force / heavy loads
Lighting
Over exertion / fatigue
Poor design / layout / surface
Repetitive movements
Air contamination
Soil contamination
Storm water contamination
Waste, i.e. effluent / hazardous
Solid waste

page 1 of 5

Steps
required to perform the task, in the
correct sequence

Hazards
for each job step

Initial
Risk
Rating

Controls
required to eliminate or minimise the risk of injury

Controlled
Risk
Rating

References

Plan and prepare

Pre-plan
Determine staff requirements
Staff skilled, trained and
competent
Notify SOCC to commence
switching
Arrange for permit / isolations
Consumer / land owner
notification (if required)
Weather conditions / fire alerts at
work place
PPE requirements inspection
and testing

Inspect / check tools, material

and equipment

Manual handling
Pre-start vehicles / EWP / crane
EWP and crane test certificates
EDD checks

Driving to workplace

Traffic / access management (if

required)

Unfit for work: shock, burns, injury

Fatigue: injury, harm
Lack of skills or knowledge: shock, burns, injury
Site hazards slip, trip, fall, dusts: injury, harm
Contact with live apparatus / lines: shock, burns
Induced voltages from overhead lines: shock,
burns
Working / driving in high fire risk areas: injury
Adverse weather lightning, wind, UV: injury
Bush and grass fires: burns, injury
Expired / damaged PPE: shock, burns, injury
Inappropriate PPE / PPC: shock, burns, injury

Damaged or faulty tools and equipment: injury

Out of test date tools and equipment: injury
Unauthorised tools and equipment: shock, injury
Manual handling / heavy objects: strain, sprain
Unroadworthy or incorrectly set up vehicles and
plant: injury
Inadequately secured tools and equipment:
injury
Climbing / loading vehicles: strain, sprain, injury

Travelling from site to site: fatigue, injury

Weather and road conditions: injury
Vehicles, animals and pedestrians: injury
Accident / breakdown: injury, harm

Vehicles, pedestrians, unauthorised access:

injury

Confirm staff are fit for work

Comply with fatigue, drug and alcohol policies
Ensure staff are trained and have appropriate skills /
competencies
Confirm staff have valid Network Access Card (NAC) and
permit accreditation
Communicate with System Operations Control Centre
(SOCC) for a Electrical Access Permit (EAP)
Check with SOCC, Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and local
shire for weather conditions / fire alerts
Avoid working on apparatus during rain, lightning or high
wind conditions
Carry approved fire fighting equipment / staff trained
Confirm staff have required safety clothing and equipment
Ensure that gloves, hats, tools and equipment are within
functional date cycle (if required)
Check that tools and equipment have been tested and
tagged (where required)
Confirm tools and equipment comply with WP standards

Use two-person lift techniques or mechanical aids to shift /

lift heavy objects
Inspect / check vehicles and plant for road worthiness
Check EWP and crane test certificates are up to date
Ensure vehicles are correctly loaded and load secured
Maintain 3 points of contact when climbing and loading

Electrical System
Safety Rules
(ESSR)
sections: 3.9,
3.10, 5.1, 5.7,
7.2, 7.3, 12.11
Work Practice
Manual (WPM)
sections: 2.3, 2.6,
2.7, 2.12, 2.16,
2.19, 2.21, 3,
5.10
Safety Life
Savers

Fitness For Work

Standard
Main Roads
Traffic
Management for
Works on Roads
Code of Practice

Share the driving (where possible) to avoid fatigue

Drive to suit road and weather conditions
Notify formal leader / office of daily work plan
Carry an emergency beacon or sat phone if travelling out
of mobile phone / radio range

Engage an accredited traffic management company

Confirm site security and access requirements
Western Power Safe Work Method Statement Transmission Conductor Stringing

page 2 of 5

Steps
required to perform the task, in the
correct sequence

Control pedestrian and vehicle

interface
Keep pedestrians and vehicles
apart, Control vehicle
movements on site and when
vehicles enter and exit the
workplace
Minimise vehicle movements
Manage the risks of reversing
vehicles

Hazards
for each job step

Vehicle and equipment movement: impact,

injury, property damage
Unauthorised access: injury

Initial
Risk
Rating

Controls
required to eliminate or minimise the risk of injury

Controlled
Risk
Rating

Ensure suitable traffic and pedestrian management

arrangements are in place. This will involve the
development and implementation of a traffic and
pedestrian management plan by a competent authorised
Western Power representative.
Provide separate clearly marked pedestrian walkways that
take a direct route where possible. If the walkway crosses
a roadway, provide a clearly signed and crossing point
where drivers and pedestrians can see each other clearly.
Before exiting the work zone ensure both vehicle and
pedestrian traffic can be clearly seen in both directions.
Keep walkways clear to avoid pedestrians having to step
onto the vehicle route.
Designate parking areas for workers and visitors vehicles
outside the work zone.
Appoint a vehicle spotter when:
a. vehicles or plant are operating in close proximity to
each other
b. reversing vehicles
c. persons are on the ground and in proximity to moving
vehicles and
d. in other situations as indicated by a risk assessment.

References

Ensure visual (flashing lights) warning devices, reversing

alarms and high-visibility markings for powered mobile
plant are operational prior to commencing work.
Workplace set up
Correct location / apparatus
Advise landowner / consumers (if
required)
Workplace risk assessment
include all staff
Appoint a safety observer
Site conditions / fire alerts
Emergency procedures in place
Inspect electrical apparatus, e.g.
poles, wires, hardware (include
adjacent poles)
Apply covers / sleeves to live
distribution lines (if required)
Calculate conductor weights and
identify conductor size and
condition

Unclear location and communications: shock,

burns, injury
Obstacles slip, trip and fall: injury
Contact with live electrical apparatus: shock,
burns, injury
Incorrect manual handling: strain, sprain, injury
Insects, vermin, reptiles, animals: bites, stings
Weather rain, sun, wind, lightning: injury, harm
Fires: burns, injury
No clear access / egress plan: injury
Vehicle, plant or equipment movement: injury
Failure of load bearing surfaces: injury
Electrical apparatus failure: shock, burns, injury
Winch truck movement: crush, injury
Dislodged cable trailer: crush, injury

Western Power Safe Work Method Statement Transmission Conductor Stringing

Check for correct location and apparatus

Communicate with land owner to determine safe entry
requirements (if required)
Conduct a risk assessment, include bays, structures and
apparatus on either side of workplace
Appoint a safety observer trained in EWP emergency
procedures
Confirm safe workplace access and egress
Ensure fire fighting equipment, and people competent to
use it, are at the workplace while work is carried out
Ensure an emergency plan is in place and understood
Maintain Minimum Approach Distance (MAD) if required
Ensure vehicles and plant are earthed (as required)
Use stabilisers, pads, wheel chocks (if required)
Ensure the cable trailer and winch truck are correctly
parked for winching. Brake/stabilisers applied

ESSR sections:
3.2, 3.9, 3.10,
5.7, 6.2, 7.2, 7.3,
12.11
WPM sections:
2.1, 2.2, 2.8,
2.10, 2.12, 2.16,
2.19, 3, 5.10, 6
Safety Life
Savers
L

page 3 of 5

Steps
required to perform the task, in the
correct sequence

Hazards
for each job step

Set up / check vehicles and

equipment
Vehicles earthed (if required)
Support cable trailer braked /
hydraulic rams (stabilisers)
Support winch trailer braked /
hydraulic rams (stabilisers)
Communicate with SOCC or
Issuing Officer for EAP

Failure to obtain permit: shock, burns, injury

Isolation and permits

Communicate with SOCC /
Issuing Officer
Apparatus isolated, tested,
earthed and tagged
EAP/VA issued
Staff briefed on permit conditions
All staff signed onto permit

Failure to test: shock, burns, injury

Failure to obtain correct permit: shock, burns
Failure to observe permit conditions: shock,
burns
Contact with live apparatus: shock, burns, injury
Incorrect / ineffective earthing: shock, burns
Induced voltages: shock, burns

Initial
Risk
Rating

Controls
required to eliminate or minimise the risk of injury

Controlled
Risk
Rating

References

Apply correct manual handling techniques, use mechanical

aids where practicable
Monitor weather conditions
Drink sufficient fluids to stay hydrated / apply sunscreen
Obtain correct permit/s
Continually review potential hazards and control methods

Maintain contact with SOCC / Issuing Officer

Test the conductors to confirm they are isolated before
applying earths
Ensure all staff understand the permit conditions and are
aware of the boundaries of the working area
Ensure that all staff have signed on to the permit/s
Ensure the work team is aware of the risk from induced
voltages and use working earths (as required)

ESSR sections:
7.2, 7.3, 12.11
L

WPM sections:
2.9, 2.10, 2.15

Carry out the job

Transmission conductor
stringing
Support structures or poles prior
to commencing work if required
Inspect all pulling socks and
comealongs
Install rollers and haul ropes
Pull through winch cable
Prepare cable hook up to
conductors
Adjust brakes on cable trailer
Adjust brake on winch truck
Check communication (two-way
radio)
Prepare to winch to correct
tension
Check conductor tension and
clearances
Terminate conductors
Clip in and remove rollers
Inspect work

Unclear instructions: shock, burns, injury

Site conditions slip, trip and fall: injury
Failure to maintain MAD: shock, burns, injury
Electrical apparatus failure: shock, burns, injury
Vehicle, plant or equipment movement: injury
Incorrect manual handling: strain, sprain, injury
Failure of load bearing surfaces: injury
Fall from heights: injury
Objects / equipment falling: injury
Induced voltages: shock, burns
Plant, tools or equipment failure: injury
Failure to use approved and tested tools and
equipment: shock, burns, injury
Use of power / hand tools: shock, burns, injury
Cutting / moving conductors: shock, burns,
injury
Hydraulic pressure: injury, harm

Western Power Safe Work Method Statement Transmission Conductor Stringing

Confirm staff know what to do

Confirm safety observer is active / appointed
Keep the workplace clear of obstacles and trip hazards
Use approved and tested covers and sleeves over LV lines
Maintain safe clearances when moving or installing
conductors
Apply correct manual handling techniques, use mechanical
means where practicable
Attach harness to secure anchor point
Ensure staff keep clear of the drop zone
Ensure correct earthing on both sides of the work place
Inspect all equipment before use
Operate tools and equipment within their limits
Confirm conductor condition before moving it
Ensure conductor weight is within the safe working load of
plant and equipment
Confirm the joint size and ensure the correct dies are used
Inspect work for completion and compliance
Continually review potential hazards and control methods
Maintain communication. Restrict talking whilst stringing in

ESSR sections:
3.2, 3.9, 3.10,
5.7, 6.2, 7.2, 7.3,
12.11
WPM sections:
2.3, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8,
2.10, 2.12, 2.16,
2.19, 3, 6

Safety Life
Savers

page 4 of 5

Steps
required to perform the task, in the
correct sequence

Hazards
for each job step

Initial
Risk
Rating

Complete documentation

Controls
required to eliminate or minimise the risk of injury

Controlled
Risk
Rating

References

motion on two-way

Complete the job

All tools and equipment removed

from electrical apparatus
Staff aware that work has ceased
/ debriefed
Relinquish permit
Communicate with SOCC
Working earths removed
Clean, inspect and secure tools
and equipment
Reinstate site (if required)
Remove waste material
Replenish fuel in all vehicles and
plant

Failure to maintain MAD: shock, burns, injury

Vehicle and equipment movement : injury
Uneven / slippery surfaces / obstacles: injury
Incorrect manual handling techniques: injury
Unsecured loads: injury
Failure to ensure all staff sign off the permit and
understand the changed conditions: shock,
burns
Failure to conduct debrief: missed hazards and
improvements
Waste / materials left at the workplace: injury,
harm
Refuelling vehicles fumes, fire: burns, harm

Relinquish traffic management (if

used)

Vehicle and equipment movement

Unprotected workplace: public risk of injury
Unauthorised access

Western Power Safe Work Method Statement Transmission Conductor Stringing

Maintain safe working clearances

Continue to use safety observer until leaving site
Communicate with SOCC and advise status of job (if
required)
Remove all staff, tools and equipment from the apparatus
Confirm staff have signed off the permit and are aware of
the changed conditions
Ensure correct disposal of waste material
Use correct manual handling techniques, use mechanical
means where practicable
Use correct load restraining devices (if applicable)
All staff involved in debrief. Document suggestions
Confirm network status at workplace

Maintain traffic management until all personnel and

equipment have left site
Remove all signs and barriers to restore traffic flow

ESSR sections:
3.2, 3.9, 3.10,
6.2, 7.2, 7.3,
WPM sections:
2.2, 2.3, 2.6, 2.7,
2.8, 2.9, 2.10,
2.26, 3
L
Safety Life
Savers

WPM section:
2.21

page 5 of 5