FOUR recent incidents of machinery connecting with overhead powerlines has prompted a warning from the region's energy supplier.
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Essential Energy's manager community relations northern, David Crough, said they had been called to repair powerlines at four different locations across the state this month after they were damaged or brought down by construction equipment.
"Incidents such as these pose a serious safety risk to operators and bystanders, and are also inconvenient to local residents, as they can cause an unplanned power outage," Mr Crough said.
Mr Crough said plant operators needed to ensure they maintained safe clearance distances at all times and appointed a safety observer to guide machinery movements near powerlines.
The use of ground level signage was also recommended, he said, to help identify where powerlines and electrical infrastructure were located, and flag markers could also be installed at a small cost to improve powerline visibility.
"The location of underground electrical cables is just as important for backhoe and excavator operators," Mr Crough said, advising a call to the Dial Before You Dig hotline before excavating.
He said if machinery did accidentally contact poles, powerlines or stay wires even if the lines didn't fall contact Essential Energy immediately on 13 20 80.