esv.vic.gov.au
Beware dodgy tree workers
By Dan Tulen, Advisor, Line Assurance Clearance
ESV is asking consumers and industry to be aware of unscrupulous behaviour
by unskilled and unqualified tree workers, which put lives, property and electricity
network assets at risk during an incident in the Melbourne suburb of Balwyn.
The trees being worked on were
in contact with low voltage (LV)
conductors and showed evidence of
contact (burning) on high voltage (HV)
conductors.
On 4 March 2020, a person or group
of people made an unsolicited call on a
home in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
The individual or group claimed to offer
professional arboricultural – vegetation
management, tree lopping – services
for cash.
English was not spoken in the home
and the services were accepted at
face value. It is alleged that the tree
workers claimed to be affiliated with the
electricity distribution business in the
area, Citipower.
The incident was reported to have
occurred when a tree worker cut a
branch while aloft in a tree. The branch
then fell on to a HV conductor and
began to smoke and cause sparking.
He attempted to remove the branch
and received several electric shocks.
A qualified plumber was onsite working
on another job. He saw the situation
and attempted to assist the tree worker.
In doing so, he also received an electric
shock.
Emergency services were called to
the scene, triggering response teams
from Citipower, ESV and Worksafe.
Power was isolated and the tree
worker was safely removed from the
tree. The plumber was assessed by the
ambulance crew and taken to the Alfred
Hospital where he was kept overnight for
observation. The branch was removed
from the conductor by a CitiPower fault
crew and power was restored.
ESV launched an investigation upon
arrival at the site. It did not appear that
the workers had basic training and could
not demonstrate a basic understanding
of No Go Zone principals or other
basic safety measures for tree industry
workers.
Worksafe issued a notice to the tree
workers who must produce relevant
evidence of training and safe systems
of work before undertaking tree works
in the future.
The plumber has since been released
from hospital and escaped serious injury.
ESV are continuing the investigation
and considering possible enforcement
actions.
In this case, a risk assessment would
have identified the pruning works as the
responsibility of the distribution business
and not safe for unskilled workers to
undertake. Observing the No Go Zone
would have ensured the safety of the
worker in the tree.
ESV is asking everyone in the community
to make sure that work around
powerlines is undertaken safely by
qualified workers only. Everyone involved
is lucky to be alive. This is an opportunity
for some safety reminders:
Show the customer your
registration, license and/or ID
» Let’s make it easy for consumers to
check who is qualified and skilled by
providing evidence before work starts.
» Don’t forget cash handling is not
recommended during coronavirus.
If you see unsafe work around
powerlines, what should you do?
» Call 000 for the police and emergency
services.
» Stay clear of the ladder or equipment,
which could become live if there is
contact with the line.
» Ask the tradesperson to stop. If they
respond in an aggressive way, they
might be covering up a lack of training,
licensing or registration.
» If there is contact with a powerline, and
the worker is close, get them to jump
with both legs together at the same
time, if it’s safe and roll away.
Think before you help!
» Tradespeople are reminded to assess
for danger before assisting — any
contact with electricity may cause
electrocution. Think quickly and carefully
before stepping in to assist in an unsafe
situation, especially where electricity is
involved.
» Remember: No Go Zones are three
metres around overhead powerlines.
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