POWER LINES AND CRANES

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28950, 18 July 1959, Page 7

POWER LINES AND CRANES

New Regulation Gazetted

A new regulation has been gazetted which, if adhered to, will reduce the number of accidents occuring through cranes and other elevated equipment coming in contact with electric power wires, says The New Zealand Electricity Department. The erquirements are simple. No part of a crane or any other similar equipment may approach any power line closer than 12 feet in any direction unless special precautions are observed. The licensee or owner of the power line is to specify the special precautions, of which there are several alternatives such as:— A physicarbarrier; The disconnexion of power in the line; personal supervision and direction to the operator of the crane. Whilst a crane, excavator, welldrilling rig or other device is travelling along a street the Traffic Regulations, 1956, apply as in the past The new regulation applies to all cranes and elevated devices whether mobile or stationary and is contained in the Electrical Supply Regulations, 1935, Amendment No. 13, Regulation 41-67, administered by the Electricity Deoartment. Safety to operators and others will be attained by adherence to the requirements. The electrical supply authority concerned, named the licensee in the regulation, knows the proper precautions that must be taken. Owners and operators of cranes and other elevated equipment should communicate with the appropriate supply authority, or the Railways Department when railway overhead lines are involved, if such equipment is likely to approach any power line to a distance of less than 12 feet.