Why Do I Need to have a Yellow Card?

The following extract explains the need for having a “yellow card” proof of training on various types of EWP’s.  (From the Elevated Work Platform Association of Australia. (EWPA) Every State in Australia has in place an Occupational Health and Safety Act (OH&S), which aims to protect the health, safety and welfare of people at work. In these Acts, it is clearly stated that there is a duty of care to ensure workplace safety. In broad terms each State OH&S Act specifically embraces the following:

• Employers must provide information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure the health and safety of employees at work.
• Manufacturers and suppliers of plant must ensure equipment is safe to use when properly used and must make available adequate information about the conditions for the safe use of the equipment manufactured or supplied.
• Employees must co-operate with efforts to comply with OH&S requirements.

What this means, in reality, is that there needs to be some form of proof that the operator has been trained in the safe use of an elevating work platform (EWP). Verbal instruction is not an effective method of training as it lacks proof of training evidence. The EWP Operator Training Program (or Yellow Card) is the result of the EWPA helping the industry to comply with the OH&S Act.

The EWPA Yellow Card is the predominant industry accepted proof of training for Elevated Work Platforms, recognised nationally by all major manufacturers, suppliers and users of EWPs.

The Yellow Card training meets the two key objectives of the OH&S Acts, being: · It confirms that the operators of specific types of EWPs have been trained in the safe use of the work platform. · The supplier, employer and user all have documentary evidence that the required ‘duty of care’ has been met or exceeded.

What are the clearance requirements for working near powerlines whilst using elevating work platforms?

DISTANCE FROM POWER LINES – From The EWPAA Website 

 

AS2550.1:2011  EWPs must not be closer than the following distances to power lines:

 

• Distribution lines up to and including 133kv (usually poles) 6.4m or 3.0m with a qualified ‘spotter’
• Transmission lines greater than 133kv (towers) 10m or 8m with a qualified ‘spotter’

NOTE: 

• EWPs must not work directly over power lines unless prior approval has been obtained from the supply authorities.
• A ‘spotter’ is a competent person. Check with each state authority for their spotter requirements.
• To work closer than the specified distances requires approval from the relevant electrical authorities and may include additional qualifications and specification of insulated EWPs.
• Do NOT let the EWP and operator enter the ‘no go zones’ (ie 6.4m and 10m) without obtaining the appropriate approval.

EWPAA Inc advises that when you are working from an EWP, if you or any part of the EWP will be nearer than the minimum distance of 6.4m from distribution lines and 10m from transmission lines, permission must be obtained from the appropriate energy authority.

State Regulations

Each State has its own regulations that take precedence over the Australian Standards.

Below is a State by State summary of their current positions.

VIC: Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector – www.ocei.vic.gov.au

As per AS2550.1.2011

Note: Spotter is defined as a competent person who shall have successfully completed an endorsed training course.

NSW: Workcover NSW – www.workcover.nsw.gov.au

Code of Practice 2006: Work Near Overhead Power lines

EWP operation may not be any closer than the following distances to power lines:

Up to 132kv 3.0m

132kv up to 330kv 6.0m

more than 330kv 8.0m

To work closer than these distances requires authority from the relevant electrical authority and adherence to cl.64(2)(e) of the regulations.

QLD: Electrical Safety Office – www.eso.qld.gov.au

The Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 covers this area and breaks down the distances in detail. Exclusion zones are broken down not only by size of power line but also by the competency level of the operator. This means that the requirements should be clarified with the electrical authority before work commences even if the distance appears to be outside the zones.

The Code of Practice gives the following minimum distances as guidance:

Up to 132kv 3.0m

132kv to 330kv 6.0m

330kv to 500kv 8.0m

WA: Worksafe Western Australia – www.commerce.wa.gov.au/energysafety

This falls under Regulation 316A from the Electricity Regulations 1947 and states the following as the minimum distances:

Less than 33kv 3.0m

Over 33kv 6.0m Over 133kv 8.0m

NT: Work Health Authority – www.nt.gov.au

This falls under the Electricity Reform (Safety and Technical) Regulations. Table 2, Schedule 3 gives the following minimum distances:

Up to 33kv 1.5m

Above 33kv to 132kv 3.0m

Above 132kv to 275kv 4.0m

Above 275kv to 330kv 6.0m

Above330kv to 500kv 8.0m

In addition, the operator must check with the network operator to ensure other distances are applicable.

ACT: ACT Workcover – www.actew.com.au and www.workcover.act.gov.au

At this stage, use AS2550.1.2011 as no clear answer has been received

TAS: Electricity Standards and Safety – www.dier.tas.gov.au

As per AS2550.1.2011

SA: Workplace Services – www.sa.gov.au

As per AS2550.1.2011 and SA Electricity Regulations 2012

Where can i obtain further information about Elevating Work Platforms? 

The Elevating Work Platform Association of Australia – www.ewpa.com.au – Phone Number: 1800 015 166

The EWPA is designed to help the EWP user locate the right EWP for their needs, along with back-up information on safety, legislation, training, new products and much more.

For further information regarding information about the Elevating Work Platforms carried in our fleet it is best to phone or visit the machine manufactures websites listed below:

For information regarding Genie products please visit: www.genielift.com.au – Phone Number: 1800 788 633

For information regarding Haulotte products please visit: www.haulotte.com.au – Phone Number: 1300 207 683

For information regarding Skyjack products please visit: www.skyjack.com/en-au – Phone Number: +61 2 8786 3200

For information regarding Manitou products please visit: www.manitou.com/en – Phone Number: +61295173174

For information regarding JLG products please visit:    www.jlg.com/en-au/ – Phone Number: 131 554

For information regarding Ahern (Formally Snorkel)  please visit: www.ahernaustralia.com.au – Phone Number: 02 9609 8500