Temporary poles are the most essential part of a build site or powered outdoor event which is why it is important to make sure that they are maintained and installed correctly for the safety of anybody working or visiting where they are in use.
How can you be sure they have been maintained?
The best way you can be sure that the equipment you are hiring is safe to use is by hiring through reputable companies. While a cheaper option might be attractive in the short term the potential risks that come with faulty equipment far outweighs that. A reputable company will comply with the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013 which outlines their duties to ensure their equipment is safe.
Under the regulation, hirers are required to ensure that the equipment they hire out is:
- inspected and tested by a competent person before each hiring,
- is inspected, tested and tagged by a competent person once every 6 months and
- if the item has a safety switch that this also inspected and tagged once every 6 months.
How can I tell if my temporary power pole is installed correctly?
Current legislation requires that a temporary power pole be installed with three support stays. These support stays should have a 2-metre radius from the base and be evenly spaced at 120 degrees. If your construction or scaffold needs to be within this exclusion zone then you are required to obtain Energex Safety Advice. This should be done 2- 3 weeks before erecting scaffolding or working inside this zone.
What should you do if you believe your equipment is faulty or incorrectly installed?
Hiring through a reputable company will mean that the equipment will have had all its necessary testing and installed correctly however issues may arise after this. If you believe your equipment to be faulty, you should isolate immediately and contact the hire company so that they are able to quickly remedy the situation so as to not delay your build or event.
Get in touch with the Poles & Holes team today to discuss your temporary power pole needs.
Related reading: compliance guide
TL;DR: Temporary power poles are safe when hired from a reputable company that complies with the Electrical Safety Regulation 2013. Look for equipment that's been inspected, tested and tagged every 6 months, and ensure proper installation with three support stays at 120-degree spacing.
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