Workers and the public face significant risks from high voltage hazards due to the substantial energy quantities involved. It's crucial to comprehend these risks and take measures to safeguard yourself and others.

Understanding high voltage hazards High voltage refers to electricity with a high potential energy, commonly found in power plants, substations, overhead and underground powerlines, and large motors.

For equipment or installations to be classified as high voltage, they must operate at an alternating current (AC) voltage exceeding 1000 volts or a ripple-free direct current (DC) voltage exceeding 1500 volts.

Potential risks of high voltage hazards Incidents involving high voltage electricity typically result in more severe consequences compared to low voltage situations. These consequences may include:

• Severe injury or death from electric shock, whether through direct or indirect contact, tracking across a medium, or arcing.
• Burns caused by arcing, explosions, or fires.
• Illness or death due to toxic gases released during burning and arcing.
• Injury or death resulting from violent muscle contractions leading to loss of balance and a fall.

These risks emanate from working on or near high voltage equipment or installations and are associated with:

• Induction from other circuits and communication equipment like radio transmitters.
• Accumulation of static charge due to weather conditions.
• Feedback from secondary or tertiary systems.
• Stored energy in high voltage capacitor banks.
• Working under or over other live conductors.

It's important to note that the risks extend beyond workers; the public is also exposed through various day-to-day activities. For instance, activities such as flying drones, paragliding, navigating sailing craft, and even home fruit picking all pose risks of contact with powerlines. Even seemingly routine tasks like tree trimming near powerlines have led to serious incidents.