AIE - Subject - Power Lines

Utility Lines : Overhead Power Lines

Legislation

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

Organisations

The NPTC offer 5 units relating to arboricultural works within the proximity to power lines. The standard is termed 'Arboricultural Works Within the Proximity Zone of Overhead Lines up to and Including 400kv'. The following units are available:-
- Mandatory Unit.
  
  AE1 - Electrical Hazard Awareness
- Optional Units
  
  AE2A - Tree Work Operations (ground and platform)
  AE2B - Aerial Tree Work Operations
  AE3 - Arboricultural Team Leader
  AE4 - Arboricultural Team Leader (Electrical Earthing)
  AE5 - Risk Assessor/Surveyor

Link to NPTC.
The Electricity Association have developed an engineering standard G55/1 for works near power lines.
The Cable Communications Association.
The National Joint Utilities Group

Publications

Working Safely near Overhead Power Lines (AIS 8). Health & Safety Executive (HSE) leaflet. See footnote.
Guidance Notes for Candidates and Assessors. Arboricultural Works within the Proximity Zone of Overhead Lines up to and including 400KV. Booklet. NPTC. Tel. 01203 696553 or Fax. 01203 696128
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. National Joint Utilities Group, 30 Millbank, London, SW1P 4RD.
The Cable Communications Association have published a 4 page code of practice for construction (i.e trenching etc).

FASTCo Publications. Available to View On-Line at the FASTCo website.

Electricity at Work. Forestry & Arboriculture. Safety Booklet No 803. Mar 1995.
Electricity at Work. Forestry & Arboriculture. Safety Guide No 804. Mar 1995.

Videos

Shock Horror. Health & Safety Executive video.

Web Sites

FASTCo
Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions
Electricity Association
Electricity on the Farm. HSE site page.
Working Safely near Overhead Power Lines. HSE site page.
Electrical Safety and You. HSE site page.
The Right Tree Handbook. USA site.
Utility Arborist. USA site.
UK Railtrack Environmental Pages

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.

Events & Courses

Workshop: Utility Installation & Maintenance near Trees - Private Sector. Contact: ISA..
Courses: NPTC based training courses for Arb Works in Proximity to Lines, Levels 1-5 should be available at some colleges. Contact FASTCo for a listing of training instructors.

Check with the organisation directly for dates. Details may be available in Events.

See also Cranes
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Sites labelled

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