Electricity networks - Safety
The Department's role is to oversee electricity transmission and distribution system operators so they provide an adequate, reliable and safe supply of electricity of appropriate quality in NSW. Ensuring the safety of the public is the highest priority. Electricity networks pose inherent dangers to the public and network workers from the possibility of electrocution and initiation of fires, thus network operators must design, install, operate and maintain their electricity networks safely in order to manage that risk.
Customer installations also pose risks to both customers themselves and the general public either directly (e.g. electrocution) or by initiating fires including bushfires. Network operators must have procedures in place to minimise the risks from customer installations.
The Department therefore requires that network operators prepare and implement plans which include a safety management strategy for the purpose of ensuring the safe operation of the transmission or distribution system and customer installations. This includes analysis of hazardous events, emergency procedures and the procedures and standards for work on or near the network.
As part of this process, the Department publishes documents relating to the functions of network operators. Department staff also play an active role in the formulation of NSW-based and National Standards, Codes and Guides which provide direction to the industry.
The need for a joint approach to network safety has been recognised by the Minister for Energy, who established the Industry Safety Steering Committee with the mission being to identify opportunities to improve electricity network safety in order to eliminate or minimise exposure of people and property to the risk of injury or damage from electricity network hazards.
The Industry Safety Steering Committee comprises representatives from network operators, unions, accredited service providers, WorkCover with the Department having a non-executive role.
The Committee has produced specialised ISSC Guides for industry use to improve safety for the public and industry workers.
Electricity Industry Safety Steering Committee Guidelines
- ISSC 3 Guideline for Managing Vegetation Near Power Lines - December 2005 (PDF 1148kb)
- ISSC 14 Guide to electrical workers' safety equipment (PDF 127kb)
- ISSC 28 Guideline for Enclosed Spaces in NSW Electricity Networks - March 2004 includes Appendix A1 (PDF 534kb)
- ISSC 28 Guideline for Enclosed Spaces in NSW Electricity Networks - March 2004 Appendices A2-A17 (PDF 3511kb)
- ISSC 28 Guideline for Enclosed Spaces in NSW Electricity Networks - March 2004 Appendices B1-B4 (PDF 473kb)
- ISSC 29 Guideline for Pre-Climbing and Climbing Assessment of Poles - August 2005 (PDF 294kb)
- ISSC 31 Guideline for Management of Private Overhead Lines - July 2004 (PDF 178kb)
- ISSC 32 Guide for network operators to provide information to the construction industry for working near overhead power lines
- ISSC 33 Guideline for network configuration during high bushfire risk days (PDF 60kb)
- ISSC 34 Guide for height safety within the NSW electricity industry (PDF 401kb)
- ISSC 35 Guideline to safe work area taping in outdoor switchyards (PDF 477kb)