GROUP HSEC Procedure

Department HSEC
Area All Xstrata Coal South Africa Sites

XCSA Standard Effective December

HSEC PROC 038 Revision 000
No Date 2012

Access Underneath or Work in Close Proximity Page 1

TITLE
to Overhead Power Lines of 5

1. Objective

The objective of this procedure is to establish safe working practices related to:

• Access underneath overhead power lines.

• Work with mechanised equipment in close proximity to overhead power lines.

2. Process Flow
Construction of a road or
General Approach other infrastructure
underneath existing
overhead lines

Maintain a servitude of
20m on either side of an
overhead power line.
No infrastructure should
be constructed within the
servitude of existing
powerlines.
Obtain approval from
appointed engineer
regarding the routing,
specification and
construction methodology
of work

Proposed route will be

Ensure new power lines
brought on the existing
are routed.
plan prior to construction.

Obtain Hazardous Work

Supervisor/Foreman
Permit prior to any work
maintain and update
being allowed within 20 m
survey plan
of overhead powerline

Permit issuer or Engineer

Engineer approves survey
approves Hazardous Work
plan.
Permit (HSEC PROC 118)

On completion of work,
Infrastructure and
Permit Issuer to inspect
Services Crossing to be
area and update traffic
survey accurately
management plan.

Signage will be compiled

in accordance with ENG Review
SPEC 008

Access underneath
overhead power lines at
Yes
position other than
designated crossings

Obtain Hazardous Work No

Permit from Issuer or
Responsible Engineer
Operator to ensure a piece
of equipment or mobile
equipment clears Dummy
Lines or Height
Restrictions Indicators.

Report any contact with

Dummy Lines to
immediate Supervisor /
Engineer.

Operator to ensure boom,

bucket, load body etc or
equipment is lowered to
its minimum height to
clear Dummy Line/Height
Restrictions

Review

Group Safety GM: Engineering and

Compiled By Approved By GM: Health & Safety
Manager Metallurgy

Signature Signature
When printed, this is not a controlled document, always refer to the XCSA intranet for the latest version of this document
 Standard Effective December
XCSA HSEC PROC 038 Revision 000
No Date 2012

TITLE Access Underneath or Work in Close Proximity to Overhead Power Lines Page 2 of 5

3. Procedure

3.1 General Approach

3.1.1 In general servitude of 20m on either side of an overhead power line (as
measured from the conductor centerline) should be maintained.
3.1.2 As far as practicably possible, no infrastructure (including roads pipelines,
buried cables, conveyors, and communication lines) should be constructed
within the servitude of existing power lines.
3.1.3 Where new power lines are to be constructed they should, as far as practicable
possible, be routed as such to ensure that existing infrastructure does not
encroach within the proposed 20m servitude.
3.1.4 Each operation shall maintain a surveyed plan accurately indicating the routing
of all overhead power lines on the area under the control of the operation.
3.1.5 This plan will be approved by the appointed 2.13.1 Engineer every time it is
updated.
3.1.6 All infrastructure and services crossing underneath any overhead power line
shall be accurately surveyed and the relevant information shall be brought onto
the plan approved by the Engineer.
3.1.7 Where road cross underneath overhead power lines it shall be deemed a
Designated Crossing and shall be constructed and equipped with dummy lines
and signage in accordance with Eng Spec 008.
3.1.8 Vehicles and equipment may only pass underneath overhead power lines at a
Designated Crossings.
3.1.9 Access underneath or approach within 20m of an overhead power line at
positions other than Designated Crossings may only be done after a Hazardous
Work Permit has been obtained from the Responsible Engineer or appointed
Permit Issuer. Where required the overhead line or portion thereof is to be
isolated, this will be determined through a comprehensive Risk Assessment.
3.1.10 Determine the height clearance of equipment passing underneath overhead
power lines. Particular emphasis to be placed on equipment which exceeds
3.5m in height such as but not limited to Draglines, Shovels, Large Excavators,
Cranes and Drills.

3.2 Construction of a road or other infrastructure underneath existing overhead

lines

3.2.1 Prior to the commencement of construction, approval must be obtained from he

appointed engineer regarding the routing, specification and construction
methodology for the work.
3.2.2 The proposed route will be brought on to the existing plan prior to construction
commencing.
3.2.3 Prior to any equipment being allowed to work within 20m of an overhead power
line a Hazardous Work Permit must be obtained from an Authorized Permit
Issuer in accordance with HSEC PROC 118.
3.2.4 On completion of the road construction and installation of the "Dummy Lines" or
Height Restriction Indicators the road must be surveyed, inspected by the
"Hazardous Work Permit" issuer and the traffic management plan be updated.

When printed, this is not a controlled document, always refer to the XCSA intranet for the latest version of this document
 Standard Effective December
XCSA HSEC PROC 038 Revision 000
No Date 2012

TITLE Access Underneath or Work in Close Proximity to Overhead Power Lines Page 3 of 5

3.3 Crossing of vehicles and equipment at a designated crossing:

3.3.1 It is the responsibility of the operator of a vehicle or piece of mobile equipment

to ensure that the vehicle clears the Dummy Lines or Height Restriction
Indicators. Before proceeding under the power line.
3.3.2 Any contract with the Dummy lines is to be reported to the relevant supervisor
immediately.
3.3.3 When crossing with the following machines at a Designated Crossing the
operator must ensure that the boom, bucket, load body, jib and tower is
retraced or lowered to its minimum height and that it clears the "Dummy Lines"
or Height Restriction Indicators before proceeding to cross underneath the
Overhead Power Lines.

3.3.3.1 Excavator
3.3.3.2 Tyre Handler
3.3.3.3 Tower Drill (Overburden or Coal Drill)
3.3.3.4 Frontend Loader
3.3.3.5 Tele-handler
3.3.3.6 Backhoe
3.3.3.7 Truck with Crane
3.3.3.8 Mobile Crane

4. Record Control

Within each procedure a table is included reflecting the records to be kept in terms of the
specific document and also requires the person who is responsible and the retention periods of
the documents.

Record Reference Record Description Responsibility Place where record Minimum

No. is kept Retention Time
None

5. Revision Data

The Document Owner is responsible to update and complete the revision information when
revising this procedure:

Revision No. Page Revision Date Approved

Details By
000 All First Formal Draft December 2012 GM: Health and Safety

6. Responsibilities

6.1. General Manager:

6.1.1. Ensure that the requirements of this procedure are in implemented within his or her
Complex.

6.2. Operations Manager:

6.2.1. Ensure that the requirements of this procedure are in implemented within his or her
Operation.

When printed, this is not a controlled document, always refer to the XCSA intranet for the latest version of this document
 Standard Effective December
XCSA HSEC PROC 038 Revision 000
No Date 2012

TITLE Access Underneath or Work in Close Proximity to Overhead Power Lines Page 4 of 5

6.3. Engineer

6.3.1. Ensure that the requirements of this procedure are in implemented within Complex or
Operation.
6.3.2. Approve routing, specification and construction methodology of the work prior to
commencement of construction.
6.3.3. Authorize permit issuer in accordance with HSEC PROC 118.
6.3.4. Approve survey plan accurately indicating the routing of all overhead power lines on
the areas under the control of the operation.

6.4. Supervisor/Foreman:

6.4.1. Report any contact with Dummy Lines to the relevant Engineer immediately.
6.4.2. Maintain survey plan accurately indicating the routing of all overhead power lines on
the areas under the control of the operation.

6.5. Operators:

6.5.1. Ensure that a vehicle or a piece of mobile equipment clears the Dummy Lines or
Height Restriction Indicators prior to proceeding under the power line.
6.5.2. Report any contact with Dummy Lines to the relevant Supervisor immediately.

7. Implementation

7.1. This document shall be registered in the XCSA Document Register.

7.2. The XCSA Document Controller shall communicate this Document to all XCSA Sites.
7.3. Heads of Department must identify the training needs for each employee in accordance
with his / her training matrix as to determine whether this procedure will affect the
employee directly or indirectly.
7.4. Each Complex will be responsible to maintain a record of communication and training in
accordance with the format approved by the Responsible Manager.

When printed, this is not a controlled document, always refer to the XCSA intranet for the latest version of this document
 Standard Effective December
XCSA HSEC PROC 038 Revision 000
No Date 2012

TITLE Access Underneath or Work in Close Proximity to Overhead Power Lines Page 5 of 5

When printed, this is not a controlled document, always refer to the XCSA intranet for the latest version of this document