NATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR AERIALSURVEILLANCE OF OVERHEAD ELECTRICITYNETWORKS

ENA NENS 08—2006

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ENA NENS 08—2006

NATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR AERIAL

SURVEILLANCE OF OVERHEAD ELECTRICITY

NETWORKS

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DISCLAIMER

This document refers to various standards, guidelines, calculations, legal

requirements, technical details and other information.

Over time, changes in Australian Standards, industry standards and legislative

requirements, as well as technological advances and other factors relevant to the

information contained in this document, may affect the accuracy of the information

contained in this document. Accordingly, caution should be exercised in relation to

the use of the information in this document.

The Energy Networks Association (ENA) accepts no responsibility for the accuracy

of any information contained in this document or the consequences of any person

relying on such information.

Correspondence should be addressed to the CEO, Energy Networks Association,

Level 3, 40 Blackall Street, Barton, ACT 2600.

First published as ESAA NENS 08—2004.

Redesignated as ENA NENS 08—2006.

COPYRIGHT

© Energy Networks Association 2006

All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means, electronic

or mechanical, including photocopying, without the written permission of the Association.

Published by Standards Australia, GPO Box 476, Sydney, NSW 2001 for the Energy Networks Association,

Level 3, 40 Blackall Street, Barton, ACT 2600.

ISBN: 0 7337 7522 5

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1 ENA NENS 08—2006

PREFACE

This Guideline is identical to the publication previously issued by the Electricity Supply

Association of Australia (ESAA) as ESAA NENS 08—2004 and has been redesignated and

reissued by Energy Networks Association (ENA) as ENA NENS 08—2006. A number of

other ESAA documents have been reissued by the Energy Networks Association.

Restructuring of the Electricity Supply Industry throughout Australia and New Zealand has

removed traditional geographical boundaries and greatly increased the likelihood that

employees and Service Providers move between organisations, States and Countries.

The Electricity Supply Association of Australia (ESAA) has produced a National Electricity

Network Safety Code as the peak hierarchical document on electricity industry safety in

Australia with the objectives to:

• promote safety as a priority for customers, the public and industry workers;

• promote nationally consistent practices;

• promote economic efficiencies through standardisation; and

• simplify the interpretation of regulatory requirements.

These Guidelines were developed jointly by representatives of the Australian generation,

transmission and distribution electricity supply industry and the Electricity Supply

Association of Australia to support the objectives of the National Electricity Network

Safety Code and fit into the following framework.

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Acts and

Regulations

Codes

Standards and

Guidelines

Organisational Policies, Practices

and Approved

Procedures

These Guidelines have been produced to assist in the development and application of

standards for aerial surveillance of Overhead Electricity Networks.

These Guidelines set out broad principles for aerial surveillance of Overhead Electricity

Networks, with provision for more specific requirements to be documented by the relevant

Network Operators and/or Service Providers to meet statutory requirements and their work

requirements.

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ENA NENS 08—2006 2

This document has been prepared for guidance purposes only by a working group made up

of:

Paul Tester Powerlink Qld Queensland

Shane Eeles Western Power Western Australia

Brent McKillop Transend Tasmania

Matt Clement Aurora Energy Tasmania

David Turner TransGrid NSW

Mark Carroll Ergon Energy Queensland

Steve Duke Power and Water Corp Northern Territory

Mal Cooper ETSA Utilities South Australia

Greg Bartlett ENERGEX Queensland

These Guidelines are the first issue of the National Guidelines for Aerial Surveillance of

Overhead Electricity Networks and were developed by the working group. Members of the

working group were able to draw on the expertise and experience of the participating

Network Operators, Service Providers and Regulatory Bodies as well as the practices of

other Australian and overseas Authorities.

These Guidelines set out minimum industry standards. They are advisory only and do not

substitute for, or override, any legislation, regulation or safety rules implemented by

jurisdictional regulators or Network Operators.

Members of the Electricity Supply Association of Australia Limited (ESAA) are not bound

in any way to accept the contents for inclusion in their work practices or procedures. Nor

does the ESAA or any of its members accept legal responsibility for the content of this

document. It is acknowledged that different practices from these described may be equally

satisfactory and safe.

These Guidelines include terminology that could appear unfamiliar to some sectors of the

Electricity Supply Industry, however, the terms adopted have been selected on their general

usage and acceptability.

The Guidelines include mandatory and advisory provisions and are formulated in such a

way that, depending on statutory requirements, sections that use the word ‘shall’ provide

mandatory provisions and sections that use the word ‘should’ provide advisory or

discretionary provisions.

The use of italics indicates the word or words are as defined in these Guidelines.

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3 ENA NENS 08—2006

CONTENTS

Page

1 OBJECTIVES............................................................................................................. 4

2 SCOPE........................................................................................................................ 4

3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS.................................................................................. 4

4 DEFINITIONS............................................................................................................ 5

5 AIRCRAFT SERVICE PROVIDER ........................................................................... 6

6 REQUIREMENTS FOR AIRCRAFT ......................................................................... 6

7 PERSONNEL SELECTION, TRAINING AND AUTHORISATION......................... 7

8 RESPONSIBILITIES.................................................................................................. 9

9 AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS...................................................................................... 10

10 REFUELLING OPERATIONS................................................................................. 12

11 COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.............................................................................. 12

12 AERIAL SURVEILLANCE .................................................................................... 12

13 SEPARATION DISTANCES FOR AERIAL SURVEILLANCE WORK................. 13

14 SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS/REQUIREMENTS.................................................. 14

15 INCIDENTS OR EVENTS ....................................................................................... 15

16 PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO INCIDENTS OR EVENTS..................... 16

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ENA NENS 08—2006 4

COPYRIGHT

Energy Networks Association

National guidelines for aerial surveillance of overhead electricity networks

1 OBJECTIVES

The objective of these Guidelines is to support the Electricity Supply Industry in the

development of appropriate safe working processes for aerial surveillance of Overhead

Electricity Networks.

The principles within these Guidelines may be enhanced or supplemented provided this

does not result in reduced safety standards.

These Guidelines are intended to:

(a) ensure the safety of pilot, monitor(s) and the general public;

(b) specify the minimum standards required for aerial surveillance of Overhead Electricity

Networks; and

(c) assist Network Operators to develop work procedures and related training and

awareness programs.

2 SCOPE

These Guidelines apply to aerial surveillance of Overhead Electricity Networks. They shall

be applied in the context that:

(a) Appropriate workplace hazard and risk assessments are carried out and documented.

(b) The Minimum Separation Distances (MSD) and Maximum Work Distances (MWD)

used for aerial surveillance are appropriate for the type of work to be performed.

(Refer to Section 13).

(c) Other Guidelines applicable to particular work processes are to be used.

While the principles of aerial surveillance of Overhead Electricity Networks contained in

these Guidelines have been written in relation to work near overhead lines, the concepts

may be equally applicable to work in other areas such as aerial surveillance of

communication and control equipment, when combined with appropriate training and work

controls.

These Guidelines do not constitute a training manual for aerial surveillance of Overhead

Electricity Networks nor do they set down procedures for aerial surveillance of Overhead

Electricity Networks. Procedures shall be developed by the Network Operator and/or

Service Provider in accordance with the principles contained in these Guidelines.

These Guidelines exclude:

(i) low voltage and high voltage line work; and

(ii) high voltage live line work.

3 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

3.1 ESAA Codes and Guidelines

ESAA NENS 01-2001: National Electricity Network Safety Code

ESAA NENS 02-2001: National Electricity Network Operator and Service Provider

Safety Assurance Guidelines

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5 ENA NENS 08—2006

COPYRIGHT

ESAA NENS 04-2003: National Guidelines for Safe Approach Distances to Electrical

and Mechanical Apparatus

ESAA ND/NL 04-1995: Guidelines for the use of helicopters for live line work.

3.2 Other referenced documents

Civil Aviation Act and associated Regulations.

ATSB accident/incident investigation – final reports. http://www.atsb.gov.au

Electricity Association of NSW Guide to aerial inspection and patrol of overhead power

lines. ISSC 10 November 2001.

4 DEFINITIONS

This section gives a list of words and terms and their definitions as used in these

Guidelines. Each defined word or term has its definition set alongside. When the defined

word or term is shown in italics in the text of the Guidelines, it has the defined meaning.

Where a defined word or term is not printed in italics in the body of the text, it must be

interpreted as the context of the text indicates or requires.

‘Aerial Surveillance Work’ means an inspection and/or patrol of Overhead Electricity

Networks by aircraft between the Minimum Separation Distance and Maximum Work

Distance as specified in these Guidelines.

‘Aerial Surveillance Zone (ASZ)’ means the area between the Minimum Separation

Distance and the Maximum Work Distance in which Aerial Surveillance Work is conducted.

‘AGL’ means Above Ground Level

‘Approved’ means having appropriate organisation endorsement in writing for a specific

function.

‘Authorised Person’ means a person with technical knowledge or sufficient experience

who has been approved, or has the delegated authority to act on behalf of the Network

Operator, to perform the duty concerned.

‘CASA’ means Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

‘Competent’ means having the skills, knowledge and attributes a person needs to complete

a task.

‘Electrical Apparatus’ means any electrical equipment, including overhead lines and

underground cables, the conductors of which are live or can be made live.

‘Emergency Location Transmitter (ELT)’ means a device set to initiate signalling in the

event of an emergency.

‘Employee’ means a worker engaged by a Network Operator and/or Service Provider

(whether under a contract of employment or apprenticeship) and includes a contractor or

sub-contractor, and a person employed by a contractor or sub-contractor, who carries out

work for a Network Operator and/or Service Provider.

‘Intercom’ means the aircraft internal communication system.

‘Live’ means energised or subject to hazardous induced or capacitive voltages.

‘Maximum Work Distance (MWD)’ means the outer limit of the Aerial Surveillance Zone.

‘Minimum Separation Distance (MSD)’ means the distance from the Overhead Electricity

Network that no part of the aircraft shall encroach.

‘Monitor(s)’ means all person(s) required to observe and document the outcomes of the

surveillance of Overhead Electricity Networks from an aircraft.

‘Network Operator’ means the owner, controller or operator of an electricity network.

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