When this template fits
This RAMS is for groundworks, plant and civils teams working on a site crossed or bordered by overhead power lines — not for electricians. It is written for the site agent, plant operators and banksman who must keep machines, tipping bodies and materials a safe distance from live conductors. Principal contractors and the network operator will expect to see a GS6-based control plan before any plant moves near the lines, and this document provides it.
What this RAMS includes
- ✓ 9 task-specific hazards scored on a 5×5 matrix (initial → residual)
- ✓ Specific control measures for each hazard, in hierarchy-of-control order
- ✓ A 10-step method statement (sequence of works)
- ✓ PPE, plant/equipment, permits and competence requirements
- ✓ Emergency arrangements and operative briefing / sign-off section
Scope of works
Plant and work activities near overhead power lines.
Sequence of works
- 1PRE-CONSTRUCTION: Contact the relevant Distribution Network Operator (DNO) or National Grid to obtain confirmed voltage, height, route maps and any consent/wayleave requirements for all overhead lines on or adjacent to the site.
- 2PLANNING: Complete a site-specific risk assessment and RAMS with a competent person. Define exclusion zones based on confirmed voltages. Explore and document whether de-energisation, diversion or undergrounding of lines is practicable before other controls are adopted.
- 3SITE PREPARATION: If de-energisation or diversion is not achieved, erect physical goal-post gantries on all vehicle/plant approach routes and physical barriers (Heras fencing, bunting, ground markers) around the exclusion zone. Confirm dimensions match agreed safe working distances.
- 4BRIEFING: Conduct a site induction and task-specific toolbox talk for all operatives, plant operators and banksmen. Cover line voltage, exclusion zone locations, goal-post heights, communication protocols, emergency procedures and step-and-touch potential awareness. Record attendance.
- 5PRE-SHIFT CHECKS: Each working day, the supervisor inspects goal-posts, barriers and signage for integrity. Confirm two-way radio communication between banksman and plant operators is functional. Check weather conditions against the defined suspension thresholds.
- 6CONTROLLED WORK OPERATIONS: Plant operates only within defined routes and work areas. Banksman maintains continuous visual monitoring and communication with plant operators. All personnel not directly involved remain outside the exclusion zone.
- 7LIFTING AND ELEVATED ACTIVITIES: Where crane lifts, MEWP operations or scaffold erection must occur near lines, ensure de-energisation has been secured. If not, confirm lift geometry and MEWP envelope cannot encroach the exclusion zone. Obtain network operator consent if required.
- 8ADVERSE WEATHER: Monitor weather throughout the shift. Suspend work in the proximity zone if wind speeds or lightning approach thresholds defined in the RAMS. Re-inspect all controls before resuming.
- 9PERMIT CLOSE-OUT: At the end of each shift or work phase, the permit-to-work is closed out. Confirm no plant or equipment has been left within the exclusion zone. Record any near-misses or incidents and report to the network operator as required.
- 10COMPLETION: On final completion of works near overhead lines, remove all temporary controls in a planned sequence. Notify the network operator of completion. Retain all records (permits, risk assessments, briefing records) for the project file.
Hazards, risk rating & controls
Risk = likelihood × severity (1–25). Initial is before controls; residual is with controls applied.
Electric shock from overhead line contact
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Engage the network operator (e.g. National Grid, DNO) to have overhead lines de-energised, diverted underground or re-routed before work commences within proximity.
- › Identify line voltage with the network operator and enforce minimum approach distances: 11 kV = 3 m; 33 kV = 4 m; 132 kV = 6 m (or as specified by the operator). Record distances on permit.
- › Erect clearly marked goal-post crossing gantries and/or physical barriers (bunting, temporary fencing, ground markers) to prevent plant or personnel from encroaching within the safe distance.
- › Implement a permit-to-work or Method Statement authorised by a competent person. Brief all operatives and plant operators on line voltage, safe distances, emergency procedures, and exclusion zones before starting.
Plant or vehicle contact with overhead lines
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Install physical goal-post structures on all approach routes at a height below the safe working distance. Signage must state maximum safe vehicle height for that route.
- › Where physically possible, fit mechanical height limiters or hydraulic cut-outs to plant so the maximum jib, bucket or platform height cannot reach within the exclusion zone.
- › Assign a dedicated trained banksman positioned with clear sightlines to monitor plant proximity to lines. The banksman must have authority to stop work immediately. Two-way communication with operator is required.
- › Verify all plant operators hold current relevant certificates (CPCS/NPORS). Brief operators specifically on line location, voltage, exclusion zone, and emergency procedures. Record briefing.
Step and touch potential from ground flash-over
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Establish and enforce a clear exclusion zone around any downed or potentially downed conductor. Evacuate personnel from zone and prevent re-entry until the network operator confirms de-energisation.
- › Network operator emergency contact number must be prominently displayed on site and held by the site manager. Operator must be contacted immediately to isolate supply in an incident.
- › Toolbox talk to explain that if a conductor falls, operatives must not run but shuffle away in small steps, keeping feet together, away from the point of contact, and must not return until operator confirms safe.
Struck by falling conductor or structural component
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Define a physical exclusion zone extending either side of overhead lines so that if a conductor or pole structure falls, no personnel are in the fall zone. Zone dimensions agreed with competent electrical engineer.
- › Schedule personnel to be absent from the proximity zone during plant operations. Only the minimum number of operatives required should be present.
- › All personnel within the proximity zone must wear a safety helmet to EN 397 and high-visibility clothing to Class 2 minimum so they are visible to plant operators and the banksman.
Inadequate identification of line voltage and route
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Before work begins, contact the relevant Distribution Network Operator (DNO) or National Grid to obtain confirmed voltage, height at mid-span and at poles, route maps and any relevant wayleave or consent requirements.
- › Commission a site-specific risk assessment from a competent person experienced in overhead line work. Document actual measured heights (using appropriate non-contact measuring tools) and record on drawings.
- › Clearly show overhead line routes, voltages and exclusion zones on site layout drawings. Display updated drawings in site office, welfare unit and provide to all relevant plant operators and supervisors.
Contact during manual work at height near lines
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Where work at height will be performed within or near the proximity zone, insist on de-energisation of the line before permitting any elevated work activity.
- › Design temporary works (scaffolding, MEWP envelopes) so maximum working height and reach cannot encroach within the safe working distance. Have design checked by a competent person.
- › Prevent use of conductive scaffold tubes, aluminium ladders, or metal-handled tools within the proximity zone. Use non-conductive alternatives where practicable.
Unauthorised access into exclusion zone
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Erect solid or semi-solid barriers (Heras fencing, barriers, signage) around the exclusion zone with clear warning signs stating 'DANGER OVERHEAD ELECTRIC LINES'. Position barriers to prevent inadvertent entry.
- › Include overhead line exclusion zone locations, risks and rules in all site inductions. No person to enter the proximity zone without site manager authorisation and briefing.
- › Control all site access points. Where public are present adjacent to works, provide dedicated traffic management or pedestrian segregation to prevent inadvertent entry.
Adverse weather increasing electrical risk
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Define in the RAMS specific weather thresholds (e.g. wind speed exceeding 15 mph for crane operations near lines, lightning within 10 km) at which work in the proximity zone must be suspended. Site manager to monitor weather forecasts.
- › Inspect all physical control measures (goal-posts, barriers, signage) after significant weather events before resuming work to ensure they remain secure and correctly positioned.
- › If weather causes a conductor to appear lower, move or become damaged, immediately suspend work and notify the network operator. Do not resume until confirmed safe.
Failure of communication between plant operator and banksman
Who’s at risk: Operatives, Other trades on site, Members of the public
- › Agree and document unambiguous hand signals and radio communication protocols between banksman and all plant operators before work starts. Include an immediate stop signal that overrides all other instructions.
- › Provide banksman and plant operators with dedicated two-way radios on a dedicated channel. Test communication before each shift and confirm throughout the working period.
- › If communication between banksman and plant operator is lost for any reason, the plant operator must immediately stop and remain stationary until communication is re-established.
PPE
- ✓ Safety footwear (EN ISO 20345)
- ✓ Hi-vis clothing
- ✓ Safety gloves (task-appropriate)
- ✓ Hard hat (EN 397) where overhead risk or site rules require
- ✓ Insulated gloves where live work is unavoidable
Competence
- ✓ Site induction completed; CSCS or equivalent where the site requires it
Schemes (CSCS, PASMA, IPAF…) evidence competence; they are not statutory requirements in themselves.
Plant & equipment
- › Goalposts and bunting marking passage height and the conductor zone
- › Rigid barriers and warning signage defining the no-go area
- › Height-limited or limiter-fitted plant for work near the lines
- › Banksman radios for controlling each approach
- › Survey tape and markers to set out the agreed exclusion distances
Permits & legislation
What principal contractors usually check
- ✓ That the line voltage and owner have been confirmed with the network operator and the GS6 exclusion distances recorded
- ✓ That physical controls — goalposts, barriers and signage — are specified, not just a written instruction to keep clear
- ✓ That a dedicated banksman controls every plant approach, with the prohibition on raising bodies stated explicitly
- ✓ The document is site-specific — real address, access arrangements and dates, not a generic template
- ✓ Hazards match the actual task and the controls are specific (not “take care” and “use PPE”)
- ✓ Named supervisor and competent person, with operative sign-off space
- ✓ Emergency and rescue arrangements that work for this site
The report builder runs these as pre-submission checks before you download — or run an existing document through the free RAMS pre-submission checker.
Frequently asked questions
What is the exclusion zone for an 11kV overhead line?
For overhead lines up to and including 33kV, GS6 recommends a minimum clearance of 3 metres from the conductors, so the exclusion zone for an 11kV line is set at least 3 metres out, with goalposts and barriers positioned to keep plant outside it. The distance must allow for conductor sway in the wind and for the full reach of the plant, so it is often set wider in practice. You should always confirm the actual voltage and the required clearance with the distribution network operator before work starts rather than assuming a figure. Where safe distances cannot be maintained, the line may need to be diverted or made dead by the network operator.
Do I need to contact the network operator before working near their lines?
Yes — GS6 expects you to identify the lines on or near the site and consult the distribution network operator who owns them at the planning stage. They confirm the voltage, the required clearance distances and whether the line can be diverted, shrouded or made dead for the duration of the works. Treat every overhead line as live and dangerous until the operator tells you otherwise in writing. Their advice shapes the goalpost heights, barrier positions and exclusion distances that the rest of the control plan is built around.
What regulations apply to work near overhead power lines?
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, PUWER 1998 — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 3 are the main ones. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and CDM 2015 apply to all construction work.
Does a RAMS need to be site-specific?
Yes — this is the most common reason documents get sent back. Principal contractors reject generic copy-paste RAMS. Your document should name the site, access arrangements, dates, supervisor and any site-specific hazards. The RamsDocs builder fills these in for you and flags what's missing before you download.
Is this template free?
Yes — everything on RamsDocs is free during early access, including building a site-specific version of this RAMS and downloading the PDF. No card required.