Extra vigilance, care and concentration are needed when using water fed and telescopic poles, ladders or scaffolding near over head power lines on domestic or commercial properties.

In collaboration with the Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC) and the Energy Networks Association (ENA) Streamline® we would like to remind all window cleaners of potential risks when it comes to working within the vicinity of over head power lines (OHPLs).

Awareness Around Overhead Power Lines

Working near overhead power lines (OHPLs) requires vigilance and care especially when using telescopic/water fed poles. Follow these crucial safety tips to stay safe:

• Look Out, Look up: Always inspect the area above you before starting work. Be mindful of overhead electrical assets, such as lines or cables.
• Maintain a Safe Distance: Keep at least 5 metres away from power lines, even when using telescopic equipment.
• Assume Live Wires: Treat all overhead lines as live, including those that may appear inactive.
• Use Spotlights in Low Visibility: During poor weather or at night, use proper lighting to identify OHPLs.
• Contact Local Electricity Networks: If unsure, consult electricity network operators for guidance.

If someone or something has made contact with an overhead line, you should immediately clear the area, away from the damage, do not make contact with anything that could still be touching or very close to the electrical equipment and keep at least 5 meters away.

In an emergency dial 999 and call 105 and tell them Electricity is involved.

Electrical Injuries: Types, risks and prevention

There are four main types of electrical injury that can occur due to electricity. We will go over each type of injury and provide guidance on how to prevent them.

Electrical burns

The first major injury caused by electricity is burns. Burns can be caused by electrical short circuits, when an electrical arc occurs heat is produced and can cause surface or deep tissue burns depending on the amount of energy released. Burns can also occur when electric current passes through the body. The current heats up body tissue and causes external and internal burns. To prevent any of these scenarios from happening, you need to avoid any contact with live electricity. Here are some good tips:

• Make sure all extension and power cords are in good condition before using them. If they are damaged, throw them out and replace
• Only qualified electricians should work with electrical equipment that has been made safe.
• Stay away from high-voltage equipment, it should be clearly marked with ‘Danger of death’ signs.
• Keep water away from electricity conductors
• If you think someone is in contact with live conductors, do not touch them, check out the advice at the end of this leaflet.

Electric shock

The next type of electrical injury is electric shock which occurs when you come into contact with an electrical energy source. When you get an electric shock, it can burn you and give you anything from a mild jolt to more serious jolts that in some cases can be life-threatening. Electric shocks most commonly occur when working with faulty electrical tools and machinery as well as coming into contact with faulty power cords or exposed conductors on overhead power lines. To avoid electric shocks, it is important to:

• Make sure when using equipment and machinery that they are in good working order. Pay special attention to ensure there are no exposed wires due to cracked insulation.
• If electrical equipment is damaged or broken do not go near it. Report it to someone who can fix it.
• It is also important to ensure you do not use electrical tools and equipment close to water.

Electrocution

Electrocution means death by electric shock. Electrocution occurs when the current flowing through the body passes through the heart and causes it to stop beating properly. This can occur at low levels of current.

• Stay a safe distance away from overhead power lines as any contact can cause electrocution.
• Only qualified electricians should work with wiring and carry out jobs involving electricity. They need to ensure that they use the correct fuses, circuit breakers, and wiring when they are carrying out installations and repairs
• If there is any risk at all in coming into contact with electricity, STOP what you are doing and get advice.

Electricity can cause falls

Shock, you can lose your balance and fall, which turns a minor shock into a serious workplace injury. To avoid this happening, make sure that you:

• Stay clear of electrical equipment when working up high and particularly where there are overhead power lines. Before commencing work, try to find a safer way to do the job.
• Before you use any equipment when high up, make sure that it is in perfect working condition.
• Ensure you are using the safest ladder or scaffolding for the job.

When using water fed and manual extension poles for any work at height

Before starting any work, first “Look out – Look up”. i.e. conduct risk assessments through looking out for any overhead electrical assets located nearby to your work and looking up to where you will be putting the pole and check the immediate vicinity for any overhead electrical assets (lines, wires, cables etc).

• Make sure that extension poles cannot fall onto electrical conductors if they become unstable.
• Do not assume any overhead wires are telephone wires/lines/cables.
• Do not Mistake overhead power lines on wooden poles for telephone wires.
• Look out for overhead mains electric cables.
• Look carefully for electrical wires from the house to garages, sheds, and other types of adjacent buildings.
• If in doubt avoid working with or around electrical hazards.
• Think about the weather, Rain.
• Wet hands and wet feet make it easier for a person to conduct electricity.
• High winds can cause the pole to move sideways possibly contacting adjacent overhead electrical wires.
• Work should only be completed by people who have the appropriate training, certification and experience.

Gutter cleaning with carbon fibre poles

In addition to the above advice for water fed and manual poles the following should always be followed when gutter cleaning.

• Always try to use 110 volts or battery power for the gutter VAC
• Make sure equipment and extension cords you are working with or around are in good condition and safely out of the way when working.
• Never join extension leads together.
• Always use a residual circuit device if using 230v and push the ‘test’ button to make sure it works, it could save your life.
• Check all electrical wires to the machine for breakages before use.

Message from the Streamline® Team

The entire Streamline® team kindly urges you to take extra care when working with telescopic poles. Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our valued users is of the utmost importance to us and we encourage you to exercise caution and follow best practices to prevent any accidents or injuries.

References for additional information

If you would like to find out more information about health and safety when working within the vicinity of over head power lines please visit the following resources.

Health & Safety Executive

Energy Network Association