SPOTTERS (NO GO ZONE)

This course is designed to develop competency in the task of observing and warning other personnel operating mobile plant and equipment against unsafe approach to overhead power lines and other electrical apparatus.

Accidents in the construction and associated industries related to contact with overhead electric lines and underground assets by plant and equipment increased to such a degree that in 1999 the “No Go Zone” Rules were developed to reduce these electrical incidents.

Worksafe Victoria in conjunction with Energy Safe Victoria, other Safety Regulators, peak industry bodies and unions, recently expanded ESV “No Go Zone Rules” to cover all distribution assets which include electricity, communications, water, gas petroleum pipelines and Gazetted pipelines. These revised rules encapsulate safe work practices for all work involving the operation of vehicles, plant and equipment in the vicinity of those distribution assets

 A “Spotter” is defined as a Safety Observer who is a person competent for the sole task of observing and warning against the unsafe approach to overhead and underground electric lines and other electric apparatus.

 This course is designed to provide attendee’s with the knowledge to enable them to:

• Identify when a spotter is required & various types of powerlines
• Apply the No Go Zone Regulations, Hazard Identification & Control Measures
• Basic electrical awareness
• Apply the use of JSA’s, use whistle/hand signals

The course consists of a theory session and written exam and practical sessions working with a crane in a simulated scenario.

Cost: $220.00pp

Your Spotter’s certification is valid for 3 years from the date of issue.

In order to act as a 'Spotter' & for the certificate to remain valid, the holder must maintain a current appropriate level of First Aid and an annual CPR Certificate- see below for more details.

  1. A person must have a current Level 2 First Aid Certificate, or a current First Aid Certificate that complies with the First Aid in the Workplace “Code of Practice No.18” and is inclusive of a module on Electricity, and is in addition to other modules required by the employer; and,

 2. A person must hold a current Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation/Expired Air Resuscitation (CPR/EAR) certificate; and,

 3. A person must have undertaken an approved Spotter training course and hold an appropriate Spotters Ticket which is valid for a period of three (3) years.

 4. A trained Dogman/Rigger may act as a spotter for any type of plant (without holding a ticket or demonstrating competence and experience for that piece of plant), subject to compliance with 1, 2, and 3 above.

 5. For all other plant and equipment, a person must hold a Certificate of Competency or Worksafe High Risk Licence for the item of plant that person will be spotting for.

 6. For items of plant such as EWP <11 Metres, or a vehicle Loading Crane <10 Metres/Tonnes or other plant where there is no formal operating competency or licence, some evidence of training, competency and/or experience must be demonstrated to obtain a Spotter Certificate.

 7. It should be noted, that a Spotter is required for each item of plant or equipment operating in the vicinity of overhead electrical lines on any work site.

 Note:

A Job Safety Analysis (JSA) or Risk Assessment must be completed prior to the commencement of each project, and the Spotter should have an appropriate copy for the spotting task that will be undertaken.

A Permit to Work in the vicinity of Electrical Apparatus should be issued by the Electrical Distribution Company, when work is to be undertaken closer than 3 metres from any overhead Electrical Line. All work should be undertaken with reference to the Worksafe Victoria document “Framework for Undertaking Work Near Overhead and Underground Assets”.

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