Work Near Overhead Lines Permit

An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.

What a work near overhead lines permit is

A work near overhead lines permit is a controlled authorisation for working or operating plant close to overhead power lines, confirming that the lines have been identified, exclusion distances and barriers are set, and plant such as cranes, MEWPs or tippers cannot encroach. Contact or arcing with overhead lines can be fatal, so clearance is closely controlled.

This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides how work near overhead lines is controlled and what the permit must record.

Purpose

• Authorise work near overhead lines only after clearance is controlled.
• Set exclusion distances, goal posts and barrier arrangements.
• Control plant height and movement to prevent encroachment.
• Record that contact and arcing risk was assessed and controlled.

Who completes it

• An authorised issuer who knows the site and the line locations.
• The person leading the work or operating the plant, who accepts the conditions.
• The line owner may need to be consulted before some work.
• The employer decides who is competent to issue and accept.

When it is used

• Before work or plant operation close to overhead power lines.
• When equipment could reach the exclusion zone of a line.
• For a stated period, with checks as plant and work move.
• Whenever the employer’s system designates the task as permit-controlled.

Typical fields

• Permit number, line identified, location and validity period.
• Exclusion distance and the barriers or goal posts in place.
• Plant height limits, routes and banksman arrangements.
• Whether the line owner has been consulted or the line made dead.
• Issuer and acceptor signatures, and completion sign-off.
• Example fields only — adapt to the line, the plant and the applicable law.

Common mistakes

• Operating plant that can reach the line without a barrier or limit.
• Forgetting that arcing can occur without direct contact.
• No goal posts or exclusion barriers on a crossing route.
• Assuming a line is dead without confirmation from the owner.

Document workflow

A work near overhead lines permit is typically raised under the permit to work system after a risk assessment, and is closely linked to a crane lift permit and a vehicle access permit where tall plant is used. Consultation with the line owner may be required.

See the related documents below for what is commonly required before, used with and completed after a work near overhead lines permit.

Retention (high level)

Completed permits are usually kept for a period afterwards as a record of how the line clearance was controlled, in line with the employer’s obligations and data-protection duties. This page does not state a period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.

Completing and sharing as a PDF

These permits are commonly completed, signed and stored as PDFs alongside the site plan. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the permit official or guarantee compliance.

Employer checklist

• Identify overhead lines and define exclusion distances.
• Set barriers, goal posts and plant height limits on crossing routes.
• Consult the line owner before work that could affect the line.
• Keep completed permits and the site plan together as evidence.

Worker notes

• Do not work or move plant near overhead lines without a valid permit.
• Keep within the exclusion barriers and plant height limits.
• Remember arcing can occur without touching the line — keep your distance.

Country considerations

Rules on working near overhead lines and exclusion distances vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee of validity.

Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.

Who is responsible

The employer is responsible for controlling the risk from overhead lines, the competence of those involved, and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not authorise any work and does not transfer responsibility.