This section is applicable to everyone who performs non-electrical work near to an electrical installation, where an electrical hazard may be present.
Non-electrical work includes e.g. construction work, excavation, digging near cables, lawn-mowing, cleaning, painting, etc.
An electrically skilled person shall assess the risks of the work and take necessary protective measures, including determining an appropriate safety distance for non-electrical work.
Due to the wide variations in these work activities, special care must be taken by the skilled person when determining an appropriate distance. Special attention shall be taken when transporting machines with long arms on uneven ground, when a piece of equipment can swing out, or when equipment is removed or lifted.
The safety distance for non-electrical work shall be the vicinity zone plus an additional distance determined by taking the following into account:
- The system voltage
- The nature of work
- The equipment to be used
- Whether the persons involved are ordinary persons
For overhead lines, all possible movements of the lines shall be accounted for, as well as displacement, swinging out, whipping or fall of the equipment used to carry out the work.
For details, see WESR Instruction “NON-ELECTRICAL WORK”