Utility Lines : Overhead Power Lines

Legislation

• Electricity Act 1989. schedule 4(9)
• Electricity Supply Regulations 1988
• Telecommunications Act 1984
• The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC) -   Scottish Skills Testing Service (SSTS)

The following assessment schedules relating to pruning around high voltage power lines can be downloaded free of charge from the NPTC website.
   

• Mandatory Unit
  • UA1 - Basic Electrical Knowledge (Ground Worker)
• Optional Units
  • UA2 - Prune Trees
  • UA3 - Receive Safety Documentation
  • UA4 - Application and Removal of Earths/LV Bonds
  • UA5 - Site Survey

Organisations

• The Electricity Association have developed an engineering standard G55/1 for works near power lines.
• The Cable Communications Association.
• European Cable Communication Association
• The National Joint Utilities Group

Engineering Recommendation (ER)  G55/1.

• Safe Tree Working in Proximity to Overhead Power Lines.       The purpose of this ER is to provide a common basis for safe working practices in forestry and arboricultural work, in proximity to Electricity Company's equipment. It also provides guidance in the establishment and use of management procedures that can facilitate the continued achievement of safe working practices.

Publications

• Working Safely near Overhead Power Lines (AIS 8).  Health & Safety Executive (HSE) leaflet. See footnote.
• A Handbook of Hazard Tree Evaluation for Utility Arborists. Order direct from ISA.
• Trees and Overhead Electric Wires. Leaflet. Order direct from ISA.
• Avoiding Tree and Utility Conflicts. Leaflet. Order direct from ISA.
• Video 10: Includes Utility Pruning. A video guide for pruning near utility conductors. Order direct from ISA.
• NJUG 10. Guidelines for the planning, installation and maintenance of utility services in proximity to trees.

AFAG Publications. Available to View On-Line and download free direct from the AFAG website.

• 804 Electricity at work: Forestry and arboriculture

Web Sites

• AFAG (the Arboriculture and Forestry Advisory Group)
• Energy Networks Association
• Electricity Association
• Utility Arborist. USA site.

Journal Extracts (see AIE Abbreviations for abbreviations and links)

• Engineering recommendation G55/1.      AJ - Vol:23 -   No:2 -  May 1999 
• Electricity lines - certification of competence.      AJ - Vol:23 -  No:2 -  May 1999
• Eastern electricity - vegetation control.      AJ - Vol:23 -  No:2 -  May 1999
• Electric lines - designing a  code of practice.    AJ - Vol:22 -  No:2 -  May 1998
• Utility transmission lines, vegetation management in the USA.   JA - Vol:26 -  No:4  Aug 2000 

Publication Extracts (books, handbooks & bulletins)

• Pruning near power lines.  Page 119-131.  Modern Arboriculture by Alex Shigo.  Book. ISBN 0-943563-09-7.

• See also MEWPs
• Link back to Subject Index

© 2000 Chris Skellern. AIE.    Home  | News | A-Z Index  | Resources  |  Contact AIE  |  Terms of Use