GS6 Site Survey & Overhead Power Line Safety Report

Professional GS6 Site Surveys for Work Near Overhead Power Lines

If your construction site has overhead power lines, you need to manage the risk before plant, vehicles or equipment operate nearby.

Evolution Safety Solutions provides professional GS6 site surveys and overhead power line safety reports for construction, civil engineering, utilities, infrastructure and industrial projects throughout the UK.

Our consultants assess how the overhead lines interact with the proposed works. We then provide practical recommendations to help you manage the risks in accordance with HSE Guidance Note GS6 – Avoiding Danger from Overhead Power Lines.

Our service can assess proposed crossing points, vehicle routes, plant movements, exclusion areas, barriers, goalposts and other site controls.

GS6 site survey prices start from £1,500 + VAT.

The final fee depends on the site location, travel distance, number of crossings and complexity of the project.

Need a quotation? Contact Evolution Safety Solutions to request a GS6 site survey.

What Is a GS6 Site Survey?

A GS6 site survey assesses the risks created when work takes place near overhead electrical power lines.

Overhead lines can present a serious risk when vehicles, machinery or equipment operate beneath or close to them. Direct contact is not always necessary for electricity to cause serious injury. Therefore, suitable precautions need to be planned before work starts.

Our consultant visits the site and considers the overhead line hazards in relation to the proposed work.

The assessment may consider:

• Construction traffic routes
• Plant movements
• Excavators and telehandlers
• Tipper vehicles
• Cranes and lifting equipment
• MEWPs
• Delivery vehicles
• Temporary haul roads
• Material storage areas
• Proposed crossing points
• Restricted or exclusion areas
• Other activities close to overhead lines

Following the assessment, we prepare a comprehensive GS6 safety report setting out our findings and recommended control measures.

Who Needs a GS6 Site Survey?

A GS6 assessment should be considered where work activities could bring people, plant or equipment close to overhead power lines.

This commonly applies to:

• Construction sites
• Civil engineering projects
• Infrastructure works
• Utility projects
• Groundworks
• Road construction
• Demolition projects
• Industrial sites
• Agricultural operations
• Forestry operations
• Temporary compounds
• Sites using cranes or lifting equipment
• Projects involving high-sided vehicles
• Sites with temporary access roads beneath overhead lines

Early assessment allows suitable controls to be incorporated into the site layout and construction methodology.

It can also prevent unsuitable access arrangements from becoming established before the overhead line risk has been properly considered.

What Does Our GS6 Site Survey Include?

Every site is different. Therefore, we tailor the assessment to the actual project and activities taking place.

Our GS6 site survey can include:

• Review of available project information
• Site attendance by a competent consultant
• Identification of relevant overhead power line hazards
• Review of proposed construction activities
• Assessment of vehicle and plant routes
• Review of proposed overhead line crossing points
• Consideration of plant and equipment operating on site
• Review of potential interaction between equipment and overhead lines
• Consideration of access restrictions
• Review of exclusion or controlled areas
• Recommendations for barriers
• Recommendations for GS6 goalposts where appropriate
• Consideration of warning signage
• Review of traffic management arrangements
• Consideration of site supervision requirements
• Photographic observations where appropriate
• Review of relevant information supplied by the client
• Review of available information from the electricity network operator
• Recommendations for suitable management controls
• Preparation of a comprehensive written GS6 safety report

The final scope will reflect the number of overhead line interfaces and the complexity of the proposed works.

Comprehensive GS6 Safety Report

The site visit is only one part of our service.

Following the assessment, we prepare a detailed GS6 safety report that can be used by your project and site management teams.

Depending on the project, the report may include:

• Project and site information
• Scope of the assessment
• Relevant legislation and guidance
• Site observations
• Identified overhead power line hazards
• Assessment of proposed activities
• Review of crossing arrangements
• Vehicle and plant considerations
• Recommended exclusion arrangements
• Barrier recommendations
• GS6 goalpost recommendations
• Traffic management considerations
• Warning and signage recommendations
• Management controls
• Supervision requirements
• Photographic evidence
• Annotated client drawings where included within our agreed scope
• Prioritised recommendations and actions

Our aim is to provide a practical report that can support the safe planning and management of the work.

GS6 Crossing Points and Goalposts

Vehicles and mobile plant may need to travel beneath overhead power lines. Where this cannot be avoided, the crossing needs careful consideration.

A designated crossing point can help control where vehicles and equipment pass beneath the lines. Suitable barriers and goalposts may also form part of the safety arrangements.

Our consultant can assess proposed crossing locations and make recommendations for suitable controls.

These may include:

• Defined crossing points
• GS6 goalposts
• Height restrictions
• Physical barriers
• Warning signage
• Controlled traffic routes
• Restricted access areas
• Plant restrictions
• Driver information
• Site supervision
• Safe systems of work

The precise controls will depend on the site conditions, verified line information and activities being undertaken.

Need Help Planning Your GS6 Arrangements?

Send us your site address, available plans and details of the proposed works.

Discuss your GS6 requirements with Evolution Safety Solutions.

Important – Overhead Power Line Measurements Are Not Included

Our service is a GS6 health and safety assessment. It is not a dimensional, topographical or electrical utility survey.

Evolution Safety Solutions does not measure or survey overhead power lines as part of this service.

Where accurate measurements are required, the client must arrange for these to be obtained by a suitably competent specialist.

This may include verification of:

• Conductor height
• Ground-to-conductor clearance
• Conductor sag
• Span dimensions
• Pole or pylon positions
• Accurate line locations
• Crossing dimensions
• Electrical line voltage
• Network characteristics

Where these measurements are necessary for the assessment, they must be provided to us by the client, Distribution Network Operator or an appropriately competent specialist.

We can then consider the verified information when preparing our recommendations.

We will not estimate, certify or represent unverified measurements as surveyed dimensions.

This distinction is important. Critical measurements relating to overhead electrical infrastructure must come from a competent source equipped and appointed to undertake that work.

Can You Annotate Our Site Plans?

Yes.

Where suitable existing drawings or site plans are supplied, Evolution Safety Solutions can annotate them as part of the agreed GS6 assessment.

For example, annotations could identify:

• Overhead power line routes
• Proposed crossing points
• Restricted areas
• Vehicle routes
• Goalpost positions
• Barrier locations
• Controlled areas
• Relevant safety information

However, we do not produce new CAD, engineering, topographical or site drawings as part of this service.

Any annotated plan remains based on the original drawing supplied by the client.

We do not independently verify its scale, dimensions, surveyed coordinates or accuracy. Where accurate dimensional information is required, this must be provided by an appropriately competent surveyor or other specialist.

Supporting Your Duties Under CDM 2015

Overhead power lines should be considered during the planning and management of construction work.

Identifying the hazard early allows designers, contractors and project teams to consider whether the risk can be avoided altogether.

Where avoidance is not reasonably practicable, suitable controls can then be developed before the relevant work begins.

Our GS6 assessment can support wider project documentation and arrangements, including:

• Construction Phase Plans
• Site logistics plans
• Traffic management arrangements
• Risk assessments
• Safe systems of work
• Plant management procedures
• Lifting arrangements
• Contractor information
• Site inductions
• Pre-construction planning
• CDM management arrangements

Any additional documentation or consultancy outside the agreed GS6 scope can be provided subject to a separate quotation or instruction.

Information We Need to Provide a Quote

The more information you can provide at the outset, the more accurately we can define the scope and fee.

Please send us:

• Full site address
• Available site plans or drawings
• Brief description of the project
• Details of the proposed works
• Approximate number of overhead line crossings
• Known locations of overhead power lines
• Proposed vehicle and plant routes
• Types of plant expected on site
• Details of cranes, MEWPs or lifting operations
• Information supplied by the Distribution Network Operator
• Existing utility or topographical surveys
• Relevant site photographs
• Required programme or deadline

If some of this information is unavailable, send us what you have. We can review it and advise whether anything further is required before the assessment.

How Much Does a GS6 Site Survey Cost?

Our GS6 site survey prices start from £1,500 + VAT.

We provide a project-specific quotation because the amount of work required can vary considerably between sites.

The final price will primarily depend on:

• Distance from our office
• Travel requirements
• Number of overhead line crossings
• Number of separate overhead line interfaces
• Site size
• Complexity of the proposed works
• Plant and vehicle operations
• Available project information
• Complexity of the required assessment
• Drawing annotation requirements

A straightforward site with a limited number of crossings will require less assessment than a large project with numerous overhead line interfaces and complex plant movements.

Request a Fixed Project Quotation

Send us the site location, number of crossings and available project information. We can then review the requirements and confirm our fee.

Request a GS6 Site Survey Quote.

How Long Does a GS6 Survey Take?

We understand that overhead power line assessments can affect site mobilisation, plant movements and the construction programme.

Our GS6 safety report is normally completed and issued within 7–10 working days of instruction.

This timescale assumes that we can obtain suitable site access and that the information needed to complete the assessment is available.

Where the assessment depends on specialist line measurements, DNO information or other third-party information, the completion date may depend on that information being provided.

If your project is urgent, contact us with the required timescale and we will confirm what can reasonably be achieved.

Why Choose Evolution Safety Solutions?

Evolution Safety Solutions provides professional health and safety consultancy services to organisations throughout the UK.

We work across construction, utilities, engineering, infrastructure and other higher-risk environments.

Our approach to GS6 assessments focuses on the actual work being undertaken. We consider how people, vehicles, plant and equipment will interact with the overhead line hazard and recommend practical controls for the project team.

We can work alongside:

• Clients
• Principal Designers
• Principal Contractors
• Contractors
• Project Managers
• Site Managers
• Engineers
• Health and Safety Teams

This allows the GS6 assessment to become part of the wider project safety arrangements rather than simply being treated as a standalone document.

UK-Wide GS6 Site Survey Service

Evolution Safety Solutions provides GS6 site surveys across the UK.

We can support projects throughout Wales, England and the wider United Kingdom.

Our service is suitable for individual crossing points as well as larger construction and infrastructure projects with multiple overhead line interfaces.

Prices start from £1,500 + VAT, with the final quotation based on travel distance, number of crossings and project complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GS6?

GS6 is HSE guidance covering the precautions required when working near overhead electric power lines.

It provides guidance on avoiding danger from overhead lines and controlling work where vehicles, plant or equipment could potentially come close to live conductors.

Do I need a GS6 site survey?

You should consider a GS6 assessment where construction activities, vehicles, machinery or equipment could operate close to overhead electrical lines.

The requirement will depend on the site and proposed activities.

Do you measure the height of overhead power lines?

No.

Evolution Safety Solutions does not undertake dimensional surveys of overhead conductors as part of our GS6 service.

Where accurate heights, clearances or other measurements are required, they must be obtained by a suitably competent specialist or other appropriate organisation.

We can use verified information supplied to us when completing the safety assessment.

Can you identify where GS6 goalposts are required?

Yes. Where appropriate, our assessment can recommend suitable locations and arrangements for controlled crossing points, barriers and GS6 goalposts.

The recommendations will depend on the site conditions, proposed activities and verified information available.

Do you install GS6 goalposts?

No. Our standard service covers the assessment and recommendations.

Installation of goalposts, barriers, signage or other physical control measures is not included unless separately agreed.

Do you produce GS6 drawings?

We do not produce new CAD, engineering or topographical drawings.

However, we can annotate suitable existing plans supplied by the client to illustrate relevant GS6 safety information.

How much does a GS6 survey cost?

Our GS6 site survey service starts from £1,500 + VAT.

The final cost depends on the location, travel distance, number of crossings and complexity of the site.

How quickly will I receive my GS6 report?

Reports are normally issued within 7–10 working days of instruction, subject to site access and all necessary information being available.

Request Your GS6 Site Survey Quote

If your project involves construction work, vehicles or plant operating close to overhead power lines, contact Evolution Safety Solutions to discuss your requirements.

For the quickest quotation, send us:

• Your site address
• Available site plans
• A brief description of the works
• Approximate number of overhead line crossings
• Details of the plant and vehicles involved
• Your required timescale

We will review the project and confirm the appropriate scope and fee.

GS6 Site Surveys from £1,500 + VAT

Comprehensive GS6 Safety Reports

UK-Wide Site Attendance

Client Plans Annotated Where Required

Typical Report Turnaround: 7–10 Working Days

Contact Evolution Safety Solutions – Request a GS6 Site Survey Quote