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
May 2013
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
5 Noise, i.e. exposure / nuisance
Poor ventilation
5 Protrusions
Restricted visibility
Restricted work area
; Slip and trip hazards
; Unauthorised personnel
5 Unlabelled controls
Vibration
; Wet / slippery
; Wind / storm activity
5 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
5 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

Hazards
for each job step

Implement a traffic management

plan (if required)
Control unauthorised access to
the workplace
Control vehicle movements
around the workplace

Vehicle and equipment movement: injury

Unprotected workplace: injury
Unauthorised access: public risk, injury

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
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

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
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

Maintain control of work place access at all times

Inform traffic management of vehicle movements
L

References

Main Roads
Traffic
Management for
Works on Roads
Code of Practice
WPM:2.21

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
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:
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

ESSR sections:
7.2, 7.3, 12.11
L

WPM sections:
2.9, 2.10, 2.15

page 3 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

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
Complete documentation

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

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
motion on two-way

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

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

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

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

page 4 of 5

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 traffic management until all personnel and

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

WPM section:
2.21

page 5 of 5