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Safety - Bass Strait islands

Safe access to meters
It is important that our meter readers have clear and safe access to your meter box.

You can help us by keeping dogs restrained or away from the meter and keeping your meter box accessible to our people.

Please keep the meter clear of vegetation, insects, vehicles and other equipment. Have the box moved if it becomes inaccessible because of new fences or building changes. And if your meter is behind a gate, you can get a special lock that our meter readers have a key for (to find out how to get a lock, please contact us).

If we can’t access the meter, we will estimate your energy consumption based on your previous bills. 

Private powerlines and maintenance
There are many private power poles on the Bass Strait islands. Maintaining these poles is the property owner’s responsibility.

For information on pole ownership and tips for maintaining private power poles, please see the private powerline and maintenance guideline.

If you lose power, it can be harder for us to restore your supply if your private power poles and other electrical assets are unsafe. 

Safe growing near powerlines
If trees and shrubs come in contact with a powerline, they can bring the line down and disrupt your power or even cause a fire.

For everyone’s safety – and according to the law – you must ensure a safe distance between powerlines and any foliage, trees or shrubs that grow on your property.

Find out more about safe growing near powerlines. 

Working near powerlines and cables
Working near powerlines and cables can be very dangerous. Please maintain a safe distance of a minimum 3 m.

No one may work within 3 m of powerlines unless they get our written authorisation. Please contact us during business hours on 1300 360 441 to arrange this.

If you use machinery such as high vehicles, excavators or tip trucks, look up before you begin work. Powerlines may be above you.

Plan any activities around powerlines carefully, and have someone monitoring the movement of your machinery near powerlines. Councils and property owners also own and manage electrical infrastructure, so contact them when you are planning works to find out if they have infrastructure nearby.

View information on working near electrical assets.

For more information on how to reduce risks when working near overhead powerlines visit the WorkSafe Tasmania website. 

Before You Dig
Before You Dig Australia is a free service you can contact to find out if there are any underground pipes or cables where you want to dig.

You can call Before You Dig Australia on 1100 between 8 am and 5 pm weekdays or submit your request online at www.byda.com.au  

You should get a response from the owners of the respective underground assets (Hydro Tasmania, TasWater, TasGas, Telstra, councils, etc.) within 2 to 3 business days.