Height limiter system to prevent electrocution of workers

Saving lives and preventing electrocution of workers was the motivation behind Southern Grampians Shire Council’s customised ‘height limiter’ system. The council worked with a local manufacturer, Henry Hydraulics, to develop a device that automatically stops machines and activates an alarm if they got too close to high-voltage power lines, reducing the risk of electrocution or serious burns.

The Council Risk Assessment Officer, Phillip Gillin, identified the serious risk the council’s infrastructure maintenance team faced when working close to no-go zones around power lines. “Our workers sometimes have to use backhoes near high-voltage power lines, and were faced with the prospect of serious injury or even death by electrocution,” said Gillin, who led the development of the system. The initiative has seen the council named one of the WorkSafe Awards’ Monthly Champions for May 2011.

Working near power lines is a major national safety issue because of the number of deaths and serious injuries that occur each year. People or machines don’t have to touch power lines to get a shock; getting within three metres can result in electricity arcing into them. To eliminate the risk, the council could have purchased a bobcat, which it didn’t have the budget for and which wouldn’t have suited its needs. Instead, the council decided to develop its own system to protect workers.

The project was born out of a casual discussion with one of council’s health and safety representatives. While it was initially developed in response to the backhoe issue, the unit can be retro-fitted to suit other equipment like tippers, cherry pickers and cranes. “It was really just a little idea we had as a result of a casual chat, but the reality is, the solution is now protecting our workers from serious or fatal injury – it’s completely foolproof.” Phillip said he entered the initiative in the ‘Best solution to a workplace health and safety issue’ category of the WorkSafe Awards to get some recognition for the Southern Grampians Shire Council and its innovative efforts in protecting workers. “The team now feels a lot safer working near overhead powerlines and has a better understanding of what it means to work safely, which I think is a great achievement for the Council.”

The WorkSafe Awards have been expanded and improved this year, introducing quick and easy online entry, broader categories and a public voting system that will help highlight Victoria’s greatest workplace success stories. Like Southern Grampians Shire Council, entries with the most votes from the public, industry experts and professionals each month will have their achievements promoted by WorkSafe.