Electricity Act 2001 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 9 · Electrical and Supply Installations, Cable Detection Work and Electrical Workers
79. Cable detection work to be carried out before earthworks
Feedback & supportLast amended by an amending law of 2018.
Subject to subsection (2), no person may commence or carry out, or cause or permit the commencement or carrying out of, any earthworks within the vicinity of any low voltage electricity cable which belongs to or which is under the management or control of an electricity licensee unless the person has caused cable detection work to be carried out by a licensed cable detection worker.
earthworks
“earthworks” means —(a)any act of excavating earth, rock or other material (by whatever means);(b)any act done on, in or under the ground in connection with —(i)any work for or relating to the construction, reconstruction, extension, renovation, alteration, demolition or repair of any building, road, railway, bridge, viaduct, flyover, sewer or sewerage works;(ii)any work for or relating to the laying, inspecting, repairing or renewing of any main, pipe, cable, fitting or other apparatus;(iii)any soil investigation work; or(iv)such other works as are usually undertaken by a person carrying on business as a contractor in the construction industry or as a professional civil or structural engineer;(c)any act of boring, dredging, jacking, levelling, piling or tunnelling on or under any premises or street by any mechanical means; or(d)the driving or sinking of any bar, rod, pole, picket, casing or tube into the ground;
Nothing in subsection (1) prohibits a person from commencing or carrying out any earthworks where the person has reasonable cause to believe that it is necessary to do so in the interest of public or private safety except that the person must, not more than 7 days after the earthworks have been commenced or carried out, give to the electricity licensee written notice stating the nature and extent of those earthworks.
electricity licensee
“electricity licensee” means any person who is granted an electricity licence by the Authority;
Subsection (1) does not prohibit an electricity licensee from commencing or carrying out earthworks within the vicinity of any low voltage electricity cable that belongs to or that is under the management or control of the electricity licensee.
low voltage
“low voltage” means a voltage not exceeding 1000V a.c. or 1500V d.c. between conductors, or 600V a.c. or 900V d.c. between each conductor and Earth;
No person other than a licensed cable detection worker or an electricity licensee may commence or carry out any cable detection work within the vicinity of any low voltage electricity cable belonging to or under the management or control of the licensee where such cable detection work is commenced or carried out in connection or combination with or in relation to any earthworks carried out or to be carried out.
cable detection worker
“cable detection worker” means any person whose trade or occupation requires or includes the personal performance by him or her of cable detection work;
Any person who contravenes subsection (1) or (4) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.