Working Near Powerlines: Safety Guidance for the Arboriculture and Forestry Industry

Working near overhead power lines remains one of the most dangerous risks within the arboriculture, forestry and utilities sectors. Whether carrying out tree pruning, hedge cutting, forestry operations or site clearance, all operators must understand the potentially fatal consequences of working too close to electrical infrastructure.

Overhead lines should always be treated as live and dangerous. Electricity can jump across gaps without direct contact, meaning operators can be seriously injured even if tools, branches, MEWPs or machinery do not physically touch the line. Tree surgeons, grounds staff and machine operators must remain constantly aware of their surroundings and always follow strict safe systems of work. This makes proper planning, supervision, and land-based training essential for all workers operating near power lines.

Under Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, no person should work on or near live electrical conductors unless it is unreasonable for the system to be dead and suitable precautions have been taken to prevent injury. For tree surgeons, forestry workers and utility contractors, this places a legal responsibility on employers and operators to properly assess risks, implement safe systems of work and ensure workers are suitably trained and competent before carrying out operations near overhead power lines.

Safe Working Practices for Working Near Powerlines

Live working is only acceptable if:

1. It is unreasonable for the conductor to be dead.
2. It is reasonable to work on or near it while live.
3. Suitable precautions (including, where necessary, the provision of suitable protective equipment) are taken to prevent injury.

Before starting any work near live power lines, suitable precautions must be taken:

• Carry out a full site-specific risk assessment
• Identify all overhead and underground services before work begins
• Establish and maintain exclusion zones around electrical infrastructure
• Never allow tools, ladders, MEWPs, poles, machinery or branches to enter minimum safe clearance distances
• Ensure all staff understand emergency procedures and electrical hazards
• Use competent supervision and banksmen where visibility or movement of equipment presents additional risk
• Stop work immediately if safe working distances cannot be maintained

Training and Competence

We deliver a wide range of accredited health, safety and operator training courses designed to support safer working practices across construction, utilities, arboriculture and land-based industries.

As a LANTRA accredited provider, we offer nationally recognised training for operators and businesses who require practical, compliant workplace training. Courses include MEWP Training, Abrasive Wheels, Mini Digger and Dumper training, alongside wider plant, and agriculture and land-based qualifications.

For more information, contact a member of our team today.