Working near overhead or underground Electrical Lines

Why this matters

Following these steps prevents injury, outages to essential town services, and costly damage.  A few minutes of planning protects workers, neighbours, and Weipa critical infrastructure.

How to do it right

Step 1.Locate

Find What's Below

Lodge a BYDA (Before You Dig) enquiry to get current plans of underground services (power, water, sewer, communications).

Step 2.Authorise

Get the Right Permit

Apply for a Rio Tinto Weipa Excavation Permit.
An excavation permit from Rio Tinto Weipa is required for all machine digging (regardless of depth) and for any hand digging deeper than 400mm.

How to apply:

Step 3.Assess Urgency

Know When It’s an Emergency

You can request an emergency excavation permit when urgent work is needed because of:

  • Risk to public safety
  • Work affecting critical assets (electricity, town water, communications, sewage)
  • Fire hazards or other imminent disasters

Call: (07) 4069 8448

Step 4.Overhead Safety

Look Up & Lock In

Working near overhead power lines?

A Vicinity Permit must be obtained from Rio Tinto Weipa Power Distribution when work is planned near overhead electric lines and there is a possibility that equipment or personnel may enter the Exclusion Zone or Restricted Zone.

To arrange a vicinity permit assessment, please contact the Rio Tinto Power Distribution Supervisor on (07) 4069 8943. 

Working in the vicinity of Overhead and Underground Electric Lines.png 

No permit, no dig. Work must follow Rio Tinto Weipa requirements and all applicable laws. If in doubt, stop work and call the numbers above.

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