07
For all the latest energy safety news visit www.esv.vic.gov.au
July 2014
energysafe issue 36
New campaign reminds metro
workers to Look up and live
By Michelle Robertson, Senior Media
and Communications Advisor
Don’t put your life on the line is the name of
a new campaign ESV is launching to remind
vegetation workers and tradespeople to be
safe near powerlines.
The new slogan builds on ESV’s long-running
Look up and live campaign and will specifically
target metropolitan workers through cinema,
radio and online advertising.
Workers in the arboriculture and vegetation
clearance industries are also being directly
targeted through industry associations and direct
mail to ensure they are fully aware of the safety
issues regarding trees and powerlines.
The new campaign was prompted by a
spate of serious incidents involving workers and
powerlines around metropolitan Melbourne,
including the tragic death of a vegetation worker
in May (Pg 6).
In recent years there have been several
incidents involving workers on hydraulic platforms
coming into contact with powerlines and in
another incident a builder was severely injured
when the guttering he was installing touched
powerlines.
Don’t put your life on the line reminds
workers that they need to constantly think
outside the square and assess all possible
safety risks.
In addition to knowing the No Go Zone
guidelines workers are being urged to:
»» repeatedly check the location of powerlines
»» always complete a hazard analysis before
starting work
Don’t put your life on the line: Arborists and vegetation workers are the focus of the first stage of ESV’s
new Look up and live awareness campaign.
»» never cut corners or start a job unless
satisfied it is safe to proceed.
Each job is unique and workers should
constantly reassess their individual situation.
For example, it is vital to always be aware of the
location of machinery and long materials like
branches, pipes, timber and guttering that could
come into contact with powerlines.
Trees and powerlines are a particularly
dangerous combination if proper safety
precautions are not taken. Moisture in trees and
branches can conduct electricity and cause
electric shock or death.
Vegetation workers and arborists are being
reminded to always check that a tree is far
LED POWER BY MEAN WELL
e