Professional Documents
Culture Documents
D.13 Applicable OHSA regulations (switch & transformer premises, power line clearances and
power line crossings)
Note: Concerns queries and comments on this document should be referred to the compiler
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CONTENTS Page
1. Scope.. 3
.
2. Definitions. 3
.
3. Normative 3
references..
4. Environmental
4.1 General. 5
4.2 Sanitation. 5
4.3 Wildlife.. 5
4.4 Access 6
4.5 Gates... 8
4.6 Construction within the servitude.. 9
4.7 Camp-sites... 9
4.8 Batching plants 9
5. Line survey
5.1 Plans and profiles... 10
5.2 Marking of route.. 10
5.3 Survey beacons at bend points 10
5.4 Survey by the Contractor... 10
5.5 Pegging by the Contractor. 10
6. Foundations
6.1 Design.. 11
6.2 Construction. 24
7. Towers
7.1 Design.. 34
7.2 Fabrication... 43
7.3 Tower acceptance tests. 45
7.4 Tower erection. 47
8. Stringing
8.1 Material supply 49
8.2 Installation of phase and earth conductors. 49
8.3 Stringing of OPGW. 56
Annex A Revision information... 57
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1. Scope
This specification details the requirements for the design, detailing, fabrication, testing, supply,
delivery and erection of transmission line towers and foundations, together with the erection of all
conductors and associated line hardware and fittings.
2. Definitions
a) The Employer is the party for whom the works are to be executed and in this specification means
Eskom and where applicable, includes Eskoms successor in title but not, except with the written
content of the Contractor, any assignee of Eskom.
b) The Contractor is the party appointed by the Employer to Provide the Works.
c) The Project Manager is the person appointed by the Employer from time to time to act in the
capacity and notified, by name and in writing by the Employer to the Contractor, as required in The
NEC Engineering and Construction Contract.
d) The Supervisor is the person appointed by the Employer from time to time to act in the capacity
and notified, by name and in writing by the Employer to the Contractor, as required in The NEC
Engineering and Construction Contract.
3. Normative references
The following documents are to be read in conjunction with this specification. In cases of conflict, the
provisions of this specification shall take precedence. Unless otherwise stated, the latest revision,
edition and amendments shall apply.
4. Environmental
4.1 General
4.1.1 Supervision
The Contractor shall give or provide all necessary superintendence during the execution of the
works. The Contractor or a competent and authorised appointee approved of in writing by the
Project Manager (which approval may at any time be withdrawn) shall be on the works at all times
when work is being performed or when the Employer shall reasonably require it. The Contractor
shall employ only such persons that are competent, efficient and suitably qualified with related
experience in the environmental field. The Employer shall be at liberty to object to and require the
Contractor to remove from the works any person, who in the Project Managers opinion,
misconducts himself or is incompetent in the proper performances of his duties.
4.2 Sanitation
The Contractor is to provide portable toilet facilities for the use of his workforce at all work sites.
Under no circumstances shall use of the veld be permitted. To prevent the occurrence of measles
in cattle, employees may require to be examined for tapeworm and treated, or treated irrespective
of whether they are infested or not. Proof of such treatment is to be supplied to the Supervisor.
The drug Niclosamide (Yomesan, Bayer) is freely available and highly effective against
tapeworms in humans. It does not however, prevent re-infestation and regular examination and/or
treatment is required.
4.3 Wildlife
a) It is illegal to interfere with any wildlife, fauna or flora as stipulated in the Environmental
Conservation Act No 73 of 1989.
b) When stipulated in the EMP, two colour bird diverters are to fitted on both earthwires along
the indicated spans at 25m intervals.
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4.4 Access
a) The Supervisor shall, together with a representative of the Contractor, negotiate with each
landowner the access to reach the servitude and each tower position. The access agreement
will be formalised in the form TPL 004/005 - Property Access Details and signed by the
three parties. The Contractor will mark the proposed route and/or a competent representative
will accompany the equipment when opening the access. Any deviation from the written
agreement shall be closed and re-vegetated immediately.
b) The Contractor shall signpost the access roads to the tower positions, immediately after the
access has been negotiated.
not overhang the road cut, and shall if necessary be trimmed back at an angle which
would ensure stability of the slope for the duration of the works. The sides or shoulders of
roads shall not act as a canal or watercourse.
c) Water diversion berms shall be built immediately after the opening of the new access
road. In addition, water outlets shall be made at intervals where berms are installed, and
suitably stone pitched if instructed by the Supervisor.
d) No cutting and filling shall be allowed in areas of 4% sideslope and less.
e) Existing land contours shall not be crossed by vehicles and equipment unless agreed
upon, in writing, by the landowner and the Supervisor.
f) Existing drainage systems shall not be blocked or altered in any way.
b) The steep slopes formed by the cutbanks and respective fillings when building the tower
platforms are to be trimmed back to an angle that ensures stability of the slope. When
the ground is loose, berms are to be built on the top of the slope, 2m long logs spaced
evenly must be pegged across the down-slope, re-vegetated with appropriate local grass
seeds together with fertiliser.
4.5 Gates
4.5.1 General
a) Attention is drawn to the Fencing Act No. 31 of 1963 as amended, in particular with regard to
the leaving open of gates and the dropping of fences for crossing purposes, climbing, and wilful
damage or removal of fences.
b) At points where the line crosses any fence in which there is no suitable gate within the extent
of the line servitude the Contractor is to, on the Supervisors instruction, provide and install a
servitude gate as detailed in the relevant drawing. The Contractor will mark these crossing
points when the tower positions are being pegged.
c) Where applicable game gates are to be installed in accordance with the relevant drawing.
d) All vehicles shall pass through gates when crossing fences, and the Contractor shall not be
allowed to drop fences temporarily for the purpose of driving over them. No construction work
shall be allowed to commence on any section of line, unless all gates in that section have
been installed. Installation of gates in fences on major road reserves shall comply with the
ordinances of the relevant Provisional Authority. No gates may be installed in National Road
and Railway fences.
4.7 Camp-sites
a) The Contractor will be responsible for negotiating the position of his camp-sites and the
conditions under which the camps may be established, with the landowner. The Contractor
will be responsible for the proper management of the camps. Notwithstanding, it is required
that the entire camp is fenced and the gates shall be locked after hours and over weekends.
Proper sanitation and cooking facilities are to be provided. The Contractor shall ensure that
the water used at the camp-sites is of drinkable quality.
b) Litter shall be disposed to an appropriate site.
c) Sewerage and waste-water at the camp-sites have to be removed to an approved sewerage
farm.
d) The Contractor shall have the diesel tank protected underneath by plastic sheeting and a
trench or bund wall around it to avoid ground pollution. In case of ground pollution a certified
contractor shall remove the soil to an approved toxic site or the ground treated chemically. In
both cases a certificate is to be supplied to the Project Manager.
e) The compacted ground shall be rehabilitated by ripping to a minimum depth of 600mm. The
site shall be cleaned and left as it was found and to the satisfaction of the Supervisor and
landowner.
5 Line survey
5.5.1 Procedure
a) The Contractor shall undertake the pegging of the transmission line tower positions along the
intended line route. Pegging shall proceed far in advance of foundation nomination and
construction.
b) Every tower centre position is to be marked with a steel peg 1.2m high and painted white. The
pegs are to carry a tag showing the tower number, tower type and height. The pegs are to be left
in position until the tower is assembled.
All angle towers must be positioned in such a way that the centre phase conductor is on the centre line
of the servitude.
NOTE: As numerous numbers appear on the profile drawings, the Contractor is to ensure that the actual span
distances add up to the length of the straight or section of line between two bends. Any distance which are
shown from a line point to a tower are to be taken as unchecked.
6. Foundations
6.1 Design
For soil
NOTE: For maximum soil bearing pressure and maximum toe bearing pressure, use the tabled
pressure or 80% of the ultimate tested bearing pressure determined from appropriate tests.
designed to resist the shears and moments introduced from the pile cap to the individual piles.
A soil bearing pressure of 200kPa in type 1 or 100kPa in type 2 soil shall be allowed under
the pile cap. End bearing components for compressive loads shall not be considered in soil
replacement type piles with a diameter less than 750mm.
6.1.6.1 General
a) Before foundation excavation commences the Contractor shall submit to the Project Manager,
drawings and relevant design calculations of all the proposed foundations intended for use.
Acceptance by the Project Manager does not relieve the Contractor of his responsibility for the
adequacy of the design, dimensions and details. The Contractor shall be fully responsible for his
designs and their satisfactory performance in service. A registered Civil Engineer or Civil
Engineering Technologist, duly authorised to do so on behalf of the Contractor, shall accept
responsibility for all foundation designs and drawings submitted to the Project Manager, and shall
sign all drawings accordingly. If the Employer provides foundation designs and/or drawings, a
registered Civil Engineer or Civil Engineering Technologist, acting on behalf of the Contractor, shall
check and assume responsibility for such designs and/or drawings. All foundation design loads
are to be shown on the relevant foundation drawing.
b) No foundation shall be constructed without the Project Manager acceptance. All drawing revisions
must be submitted to the Project Manager before being issued for construction purposes.
c) Only with the specific permission of the Project Manager, may more than one design per soil or
rock type of any foundation system for a tower type be utilised.
d) The Project Manager, for specific applications, may consider proprietary foundation systems not
covered by this specification.
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e) A ground slope of up to and including 12 degrees to the horizontal in any direction shall be
assumed at all foundation positions for design purposes.
6.1.6.3 Pad and plinth foundations for guyed tower centre supports
a) The mast support foundations for guyed towers shall be designed to withstand, with less than 20mm
of settlement, the maximum foundation reactions resulting from the loadings stated in the Works
Information, with the dead weight of the tower included at unity factor of safety.
b) The minimum depth of the mast support foundation/s shall be 750mm in type 1 and type 2 soil,
and 1000mm in type 3 and type 4 soil. The soil at the bottom of the foundation shall resist all
stresses resulting from the vertical compressive loads and toe pressures due to horizontal shears.
The mass of the foundation less the mass of the soil displaced by the foundation, shall be included
in the vertical load applied. The maximum soil toe pressure shall not exceed the values specified in
clause 6.1.2.
c) The foundations shall be designed for the maximum combinations of compression and horizontal
shear forces. In addition, a 900mm projection of the plinth above ground level in the case of cross
rope suspension type towers, and a 650mm projection in the case of guyed V type towers, shall be
incorporated in the design to allow for leg extension increments.
d) All concrete subjected to a tension where the permissible tensile stress is exceeded, shall be
adequately reinforced with steel reinforcing bars in compliance with SABS 920. The design shall be
in accordance with the requirements of SABS 0100.
e) Anchoring of the tower bases of guyed V towers shall be by means of anchor bolts. The maximum
shear on anchor bolts shall be 0,65y . If the anchor bolts must resist compression loads from the
base plate, the compression load shall be resisted by mechanical anchorage, and not by adhesion
between steel and concrete, unless deformed bars are utilised for anchor bolts.
a) General
i) The Contractor shall allow for the testing of two separate piles/anchors in each of the soil or
rock conditions for which they have been designed. Pile/anchor tests as described in clause
6.1.6.4 e) below, if so required by the Project Manager, are to be successfully tested to the
Project Managers satisfaction prior to construction of cast-in-situ pile/anchor foundations.
ii) All design clauses in 6.1.3 relating to drilled concrete foundations shall apply.
iii) Piles must be designed to limit ground line vertical deflection, at maximum loadings, to less
than 12mm.
iv) The minimum centre to centre spacing of any two piles in a group of piles, shall be three pile
diameters of the pile with the larger diameter, unless otherwise accepted by the Project
Manager.
v) The structural steelwork shall be firmly keyed into the concrete by means of bolted-on cleats.
The adhesion between steel and concrete shall not be relied upon to transmit the load to the
foundation. The cleats shall be so positioned on the structural steel member, so as to limit
punching shear in the concrete due to both tension and compression load cases. When
calculating the number and size of cleats required the maximum contact pressure between
cleat and concrete shall not exceed 10mPa. The number of cleat bolts required shall be
calculated in accordance with clause 7.1.12.4
Foundations utilising one cast-in-situ concrete pile will be considered by the Project Manager if the
following criteria are met:
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i) If a pile cap is not utilised, the pile shall have a minimum diameter of 350mm in order that the
structural steel attachment of the tower can be accommodated without conflict with the
reinforcing steel. Should a pile cap be utilised, the minimum pile diameter shall be 250mm.
ii) The pile shall be constructed vertically, and shall be designed for the maximum combinations of
uplift and compression loadings, and the total horizontal base shears associated with the
vertical loadings. Total shear applied at the top of the foundation, including the 650mm
maximum projection above ground level, is to be included. Lateral load design bending
moments shall be calculated taking into account possible plastic soil deformation. Raked piles
will be accepted under special conditions only.
iii) The pile shall be designed to ensure that it acts as a rigid pile. Horizontal deflection at the top
of the projected pile under ultimate loading shall be limited to 5mm.
iv) The pile shall be reinforced for its entire length, in order to resist the applied axial and bending
forces, and sufficient reinforcing hoops shall be provided to support the vertical reinforcing and
resist shear forces in the concrete. Reinforcing may be curtailed.
d) Rock anchors
Foundations utilising grouted rock anchors will be considered by the Project Manager if the following
criteria are met:
i) A minimum of four vertical rock anchors shall be used and connected to the structural steelwork
by means of a reinforced concrete pile/anchor cap. Inclined rock anchors shall not be used
without the Project Managers prior acceptance.
ii) The rock anchors shall be designed to resist the full axial forces imparted by the maximum
combinations of uplift and compression loadings, and additional axial loads due to the total
horizontal base shear. The design shall incorporate a 650mm minimum projection of the
foundation above ground level. The rock anchors shall not carry any shear load.
iii) The pile/anchor cap shall be designed to resist the total horizontal base shear. No horizontal
shear resistance shall be assumed for re-compacted excavated soil. The base of the pile cap
shall be extended to a minimum of 150mm below the top of sound rock over its full area
irrespective of horizontal shear resistance requirements.
iv) The rock anchors shall be reinforced for their entire length in order to resist the applied axial
forces and the reinforcing extends into the pile cap sufficiently and is suitably anchored to
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ensure full utilisation of reinforcement from pile/anchor cap to anchor. The cap shall be
reinforced to withstand the shear and bending forces applied by the structural steelwork. The
rock anchor reinforcing steel shall be debonded, by a method accepted by the Project Manager
for a length of 100mm above and 300mm below the pile cap base.
v) Rock anchors shall only be installed in hard rock, or sound competent soft rock. Proposals to
utilise rock anchors in materials such as shale etc. must be specifically accepted by the
Project Manager after a pile/anchor test, as described in clause 6.1.6.4 e) below, has been
conducted. An additional test to verify that the pile cap will resist the entire horizontal base
shear may also be required if so specified by the Project Manager. The lateral pressure on the
leading face of the cap in rock, as well as the friction on the two side faces in rock, shall be the
lesser of 135kPa or 80% of the permissible value determined from appropriate tests.
vi) The use of grout mixes, including proprietary mixes, must be accepted by the Project Manager
prior to the use of such. Documented evidence of use in other similar applications, which have
been accepted by a recognised authority, shall be submitted as proof of suitability. In-situ rock
anchor testing shall be carried out as specified in clause 6.1.6.4 e) below.
vii) Rock anchors with diameter smaller than 85mm shall only be installed in sound competent rock
where the holes have uniform diameters, straight sides and special grouts is used (epoxy or
similar with 50mPa minimum strength) as approved by the Project Manager. In-situ rock anchor
testing shall be carried out as specified in clause 6.1.6.4 e) below.
The test beam supports shall be placed outside the uplift influence zone of the
pile/anchor to be tested and the distance from the outside of the pile/anchor (or
pile/anchor group) to the test beam support shall not be less than "r".
r = (I + c) tan
where:
I = depth of pile/anchor (or pile/anchor group) with respect to the underside of the
pile/anchor cap.
c = depth of pile/anchor cap excavation.
= frustum angle.
The Project Manager may request that the piled/anchor foundation as a whole be
tested, but load tests shall generally be carried out on single piles/anchors with or
without pile/anchor caps.
The maximum design load shall be applied to the piled/anchor foundation during the
test in appropriate increments to 50%, 75% and 90%, each for a minimum holding
period of 5 minutes and finally, 100% for at least half an hour. Successive load
increments shall not be applied and the maximum test load shall be held until the
rate of movement under the acting load has stabilised at a rate of movement not
exceeding 0,5mm in 5 minutes for a pile and 0,2mm in 5 minutes for an anchor.
The piled/anchor foundation will be considered to have passed provided the total
movement does not exceed 5mm during the entire test up to and including the
maximum design load. The anchor foundation will be considered to have passed
provided the total movement does not exceed 2mm during the entire test up to and
including the maximum design load. The residual movement once all load has been
removed must be recorded prior to the determination of the failure load.
Two micrometers shall be placed on either side of the pulling rod, in order to
eliminate errors due to rotation of the foundation. The datum frame supports shall
also be positioned a similar distance from the test pile/anchor as the test beam
supports above. The average reading of these gauges will represent the actual
creep. Should this method, for any authentic reason prove impracticable, then a
suitable approved alternative method may be used.
iii) Pile/anchor tests shall be conducted in the presence of the Supervisor. Upon completion of the
pile/anchor test, the pile shall be removed by the Contractor for examination, and properly
disposed of, or cut-off at least 600mm below ground level and backfilled, or as directed by the
Supervisor.
iv) Pile/anchor foundations constructed by the Contractor, prior to acceptance by the Project
Manager of the pile/anchor test results, will be subject to modification or replacement by the
Contractor should the pile/anchor fail the test.
ii) Steelwork for grillage or steel plate type foundations shall, after galvanising, be treated with
an acceptable paint or epoxy compound. All damaged protection to the steelwork shall be
repaired prior to the commencement of the backfill operation.
iii) If the grillage consists of an open grill, the spaces between the members shall not exceed
the minimum plan width of any one such member. The gross area of such a grillage may be
used for end bearing and uplift considerations.
iv) The grillage and plate type foundations shall be designed in accordance with similar loading
conditions, settlement criteria and soil/rock design parameters, as is applicable to pad and
chimney type foundations as per clauses 6.2.1, 6.1.6.1 and 6.1.6.2. If they are to be used
as guy anchors, they shall, in addition to the above, satisfy the design and test requirements
as per clause 6.1.6.7.
v) The grillage shall be set on a 100mm thick level bed of well-compressed fine gravel or sand
to provide an even distribution of load.
vi) In grillage or plate type foundations where horizontal shear loads are not transferred by truss
action to the base, special shear members, or concrete covering to the single leg stub may
be required, to engage the passive lateral resistance of the adjacent compacted soil. Should
such concrete encasement be required, it shall be not less than 75mm thick, and shall
extend from a point 150mm above ground level down to 600mm below ground level.
vii) The depth of excavation shall be carefully trimmed to the proper level. Should the required
depth of excavation be exceeded, the excavation shall be backfilled to the required level with
10mPa concrete.
viii) Grillage or steel type foundations shall not be used under conditions that indicate aggressive
tendencies with respect to exposed steel.
The test beam supports shall be placed outside the uplift influence zone of the
foundation to be tested and the distance from the outside of the anchor foundation
to the test beam support shall not be less than "r".
r = I tan
where:
I = depth of anchor (or anchor group)
= frustum angle.
The maximum design load shall be applied to the anchor foundation during the test
in appropriate increments to 50%, 75% and 90%, each for a minimum holding
period of 5 minutes and finally, 100% for at least half an hour. Successive load
increments shall not be applied and the maximum test load shall be held until the
rate of movement under the acting load has stabilised at a rate of movement not
exceeding 2,5mm in 5 minutes. The maximum test load shall also be held until the
rate of movement under the applied load has stabilised at a rate of movement not
exceeding 2,5mm in 5 minutes. The foundation will be considered to have passed
provided the total movement does not exceed 50mm during the entire test period.
The residual movement, once all load has been removed, must be recorded at the
end of the test.
iv) Anchor tests shall be conducted in the presence of the Supervisor.
v) Anchor foundations installed prior to acceptance by the Project Manager of the anchor test results,
will be subject to modification or replacement by the Contractor should the anchor fail the test.
a) General
i) The Contractor shall be responsible for the design of all foundations for pole structures.
ii) The foundations shall be designed to withstand the maximum combinations of induced factored
moment, compression and torsion. The dead weight of the pole shall be included at unity factor of
safety.
iii) All foundation designs are to be accepted by the Project Manager prior to the utilisation of any
such design for pole installation purposes.
b) Testing
i) Prior to the construction of any pole foundations, the Contractor shall, if instructed by the Project
Manager install in each general soil type encountered and at any additional locations, test poles
for the purpose of carrying out full scale load tests to determine the moment carrying capacity in
each soil type.
ii) The test pole and foundation shall not be part of a final foundation.
iii) The Contractor shall prepare the test procedure, and supply all equipment and personnel to
perform the tests. The tests shall be conducted in the presence of the Supervisor.
iv) The pole foundation shall be capable of withstanding the full design moment for 5 minutes with a
displacement at ground level of less than 5mm.
v) The test shall be continued to failure of either the pole or the foundation i.e. either a creep rate
greater than or equal to 2mm per minute of the pole measured at ground level, or a pole tip
deflection greater than or equal to 10 with respect to the original point of intersection of the pole
with the ground.
vi) Upon completion of the test, the pole shall be either removed or broken down to at least 600mm
below ground level and properly disposed of.
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6.1.7.1 General
a) Concrete foundations shall be designed based upon a concrete strength of 25mPa at 28 days.
b) Concrete mix designs shall be proportioned to obtain a minimum required strength of 25mPa at 28
days, and a target strength of 35mpa, with a maximum water cement ratio of 0,59. No individual 28
day concrete test cube result shall fall below 85% of the specified strength. In the absence of any
previous statistical data, the mix designs shall be proportioned to attain a characteristic strength of
33mpa at 28 days. Notwithstanding the above requirements, the minimum cement content shall be
340 kg/m3.
c) Grout mix designs for rock anchors shall be proportioned to attain a minimum strength of 35mPa at
28 days with any expansive additives included. The use of epoxy grouts is to be used only with the
Project Managers approval.
d) Water shall be clean and free from all earthy, vegetable or organic matter, acids or alkaline
substances in solution or suspension.
6.1.7.3 Aggregates
a) Fine and coarse aggregate shall be obtained from sources accepted by the Project Manager and
shall be assessed in accordance with SABS 1083.
b) Fine aggregate shall be natural sand or other accepted inert material with similar characteristics,
composed of clean, hard, strong, durable, uncoated particles. Fine aggregates shall be free from
deleterious amounts of soft, flaky or porous particles, loam, soft shale, clay lumps or organic
material.
c) Fine aggregates shall be selected from local sources to provide a reasonably uniform grading of
the various size fractions. Fine aggregates having a large deficiency or excess of any size
fraction, shall be avoided to the extent practicable.
d) Coarse aggregate shall consist of crushed stone, gravel or other accepted inert material of similar
characteristics having hard, strong, durable, uncoated pieces free from deleterious substances.
e) Coarse aggregates up to 26,5mm nominal size, may be single-sized stone. Coarse aggregates up
to 40mm nominal size, shall be blended consisting of two parts by volume of single-sized 40mm
stone to one part by volume of single-sized 20mm stone. The content of fine material (less than
4,75mm) in coarse aggregate shall be less than 10% by mass.
f) The void content of fine or coarse aggregate shall not exceed 48%. Aggregate shall not
contain any materials that are reactive with any alkali in the aggregate itself or in the
cement, the mixing water or in water in contact with the finished concrete or grout in
amounts sufficient to cause excessive localised or general expansion of the concrete or
grout.
Notwithstanding the limits on chlorides as per SABS 1083 (BS 882), the acid soluble
chloride as NaCl level in aggregate as a percentage by mass shall not exceed the limits
given in the following table:
COARSE AGGREGATE
CONCRETE TYPE FINE AGGREGATE
Reinforced with OPC 0.05% 0.10%
Note: These limits shall be subject to the overall limit for the concrete as mixed.
h) The maximum nominal aggregate size for concrete batching shall be as follows:
unreinforced concrete: 37,5mm
reinforced concrete excluding piles:26,5mm
piles: 19mm
grout: 10mm
6.1.7.4 Workability
a) Concrete mix designs and batching shall be conducted in a manner to achieve adequate
workability, to ensure that the concrete will be dense, without voids of honeycomb.
b) The design mix workability of the concrete, as determined by the Slump Test, shall meet the
following requirements by application:
unreinforced concrete: 25mm 75mm
reinforced concrete for conventional foundations and pile caps: 50mm 100mm
reinforced concrete for cast in-situ piles: 100mm 150mm
reinforced concrete for cast in-situ inclined piles/anchors: 150mm 200mm
c) The consistency of grout mixtures shall be proportioned so that the mixture is pourable. The fine
aggregate to cement ratio shall not exceed 3:1 irrespective of workability.
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d) Any admixtures proposed by the Contractor shall be subject to the Project Managers acceptance.
6.2 Construction
Contractor and acceptance obtained from the Supervisor. Should the foundation conditions at the
actual foundation location be found to differ from those identified at the corresponding test pit, the
Contractor shall immediately inform the Supervisor and a revised assessment made. The
acceptance by the Supervisor of the soil type foundation nomination shall not relieve the
Contractor of this responsibility.
6.2.2 Excavation
a) At each tower or pole position, the Contractor shall excavate, construct the appropriate foundation
and backfill the excavation as required. Excavation in this instance shall be the removal of
soil/rock by any accepted means for the purpose of constructing a particular foundation system,
including conventional pad and pier type foundations, spread footings, piles, anchors, grillages,
etc.
b) No excavation work, other than for soil investigation, shall be commenced on a section of line until
the following conditions have been met:
i) The Contractor has submitted a schedule of tower leg ground levels and proposed leg
extension lengths to the Project Manager.
ii) The Contractor has submitted the proposed foundation and soil type schedule to the Project
Manager.
iii) If drilled cast-in-situ piles or rock anchors are proposed, soil samples and pile/anchor tests
have been conducted, if so instructed by the Project Manager.
c) Excavations shall be made to the full dimensions required, and shall be finished to the prescribed
lines and levels. The bottom or sides of excavations upon or against which concrete is to be
poured shall be undisturbed. If, at any point in excavation, the natural material is disturbed or
loosened, it shall be filled with 10mPa concrete, including the application of a blinding layer at the
base of foundations where these eventualities are likely to occur during the construction process.
Soil backfilling will not be accepted.
d) In soil which is incapable of withstanding the design loads which will be imposed upon it by a pad
and pier type of foundation, the Contractor shall propose a method of increasing the effective
bearing area of the foundation. This may entail the installation of a foundation with a larger pad, or
other suitable solutions proposed by the Contractor. Any such proposal shall be submitted to the
Project Manager for acceptance prior to excavation.
e) When the material at foundation depth is found to be partly rock or incompressible material, and
partly a soil or material that is compressible, all compressible material shall be removed for an
additional depth of 200mm and filled with 10mPa concrete.
f) The excavations shall be protected so as to maintain a clean subgrade until the foundation is
placed. Any water, sand, mud, silt or other objectionable material which may accumulate in the
excavation including the bottom of pile or anchor holes, shall be removed prior to concrete
placement.
g) Excavations for cast-in-situ concrete, including pile caps cast against earth, shall be concreted
within seventy-two hours after beginning the excavations. In addition to this general requirement,
pile and/or anchor holes that are not adequately protected against the elements to the satisfaction
of the Supervisor, shall be cast on the same day that drilling/excavation has taken place.
Excavations that remain unconcreted longer than seventy-two hours may, at the option of the
Supervisor, be required to be enlarged by 150mm in all dimensions.
h) The excavations shall be kept covered or barricaded in a manner accepted by the Supervisor to
prevent injury to people or livestock. Failure to maintain proper protection of excavations may
result in the suspension of excavation work until proper protection has been restored.
i) The Contractor is to notify the Supervisor upon completion of the excavation for the foundations.
No concrete is to be placed until the excavation, shuttering and reinforcing steel has been
inspected and accepted in writing by the Supervisor.
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6.2.3 Backfilling
a) After completion of foundation construction, the Contractor shall backfill each excavation with
suitable material. The Supervisor shall accept the materials used for backfill, the amounts used
and the manner of depositing and compaction of the materials.
b) The material to be utilised for compacted backfill shall be deposited in horizontal layers, having a
thickness of not more than 300mm before being compacted. In backfilling, the pad of the
foundation shall be covered, first with a 200mm layer of well-graded material containing no pieces
larger than 20mm, before any coarse material is deposited.
The material to be compacted shall contain no stones more than 150mm in diameter, and be free
from organic material such as trees, brush, scraps, etc.
c) The distribution of materials shall be such that the compacted material will be homogenous to
secure the best practicable degree of compaction, impermeability and stability.
d) Prior to and during compaction operations, the backfill materials shall have the optimum moisture
content required for the purpose of compaction, impermeability and stability.
e) The material shall be mechanically compacted to a minimum of 90% of the density of the
undisturbed material.
f) The surface of the backfill around the foundation shall be carried to such an elevation that water will
not accumulate.
g) Material removed from the excavation, which is either not suitable or not required for backfill, shall
be spread evenly over or adjacent to the site, or be disposed of as directed by the Supervisor.
Spreading of subsoil in agricultural areas will not be allowed. Excavated soil suitable for backfill
will be returned to the excavation by backfilling with the subsoil first and the top soil last.
h) Where the excavated material is considered to be unsuitable for backfill, such as a material with a
high clay content or a sandy material with little variation in particle size, the Contractor shall
propose a suitable method of soil improvement for consideration and acceptance by the Supervisor
prior to being implemented. The properties of the soil may be improved by the addition of
stabilising agents such as Portland cement in the case of sandy soils and slaked lime in the case
of clayey soils. Backfill material stabilised in this way shall be mixed in the ratio of one part
cement or lime per ten parts of soil. This material shall be properly mixed, moistened, placed and
compacted in the same manner as excavated material.
6.2.4.4 Workmanship
Concrete shall be proportioned, mixed, placed and finished in such a manner as to be free of
honeycomb, segregation and other defects of workmanship.
6.2.4.5 Formwork
a) Forms shall be of wood, metal or other suitable material.
b) The forms shall be mortar-tight and shall be designed, constructed, braced and maintained such
that the finished concrete will be to true line and elevation, and will conform to the required
dimensions and contours. They shall be designed to withstand the pressure of concrete, the effect
of vibration as the concrete is being placed and all loads incidental to the construction operations
without distortion or displacement.
c) Where the bottom of the form is inaccessible, provision shall be made for cleaning out extraneous
material immediately before placing the concrete.
d) All exposed corners of the concrete shall be chamfered approximately 20mm. A suitable nosing
tool may be used for horizontal chamfers only if approved by the Supervisor. All form work
dimensions shall be checked, and if necessary, corrected before any concrete is placed.
e) All forms shall be treated with a form-release agent accepted by the Supervisor before concrete is
placed. Any material, which will adhere to, discolour or be deleterious to the concrete, shall not
be used.
d) Test cubes shall be prepared, in accordance with SABS Method 863 at the initiation of concrete
placement of each mix design and every day that concrete is batched thereafter. Test cubes shall
only be made out of a concrete batch at the point of discharge. If the Contractor does not make
use of independent facilities for the crushing of test cubes and the reporting there-on, then suitable
on-site facilities for the crushing of test cubes must be provided by the Contractor, and the
Supervisor shall witness such tests.
Additional test cube sets shall be prepared and crushed as directed by the Supervisor. Each set
of test cubes shall consist of four cubes.
One to be crushed at seven days, two to be crushed at twenty eight days and one to be held as a
spare in the event of a suspect result from one of the other three cubes. The written results of the
test cube strength tests shall be immediately forwarded to the Supervisor upon receipt.
e) All cement shall be batched by mass. Cement shall be measured to within 2% accuracy.
f) Aggregates may be batched by mass or by volume, provided that volumetric batching equipment is
calibrated at the start of concrete operations by weighing a typical discharge. The quantities of
aggregate batched shall be measured within 3% accuracy. Adjustments of fine aggregate volumes
due to "bulking" shall be accounted for in batching.
g) The amount of moisture in the aggregates shall be determined daily by a method accepted by the
Supervisor, and the water requirements as per the mix design altered accordingly.
h) Water quantities, including aggregate moisture allowances, shall be determined within 2%
accuracy. The use of water meters for dispensing water shall be subject to the Supervisors
acceptance.
f) Placement of concrete shall not commence when the air temperature is below 2C and rising, or
below 5C and dropping.
g) The temperature of the concrete mixture immediately before placement shall not exceed 32C.
Concrete exceeding this temperature shall be discarded. During hot weather concreting
operations, the Contractor shall take the temperature of each batch of concrete.
h) No concrete shall be placed which has taken its initial set, regardless of whether the specified one
and one-half hour period has elapsed or not. If a retarder, accepted by the Project Manager, has
been used, the one and one-half hour period may be exceeded provided the concrete has not
taken its initial set. The Contractor must dispose of waste concrete in a place acceptable to the
Supervisor.
i) If concrete must be placed under water, a suitable watertight tremie, accepted by the Supervisor,
of sufficient length to reach the bottom of the excavation shall be used. The tremie shall be free of
water when filled with concrete to the bottom of the excavation. The tremie shall be kept full of
concrete during the entire placing operation. The discharge end of the tremie must not be lifted out
of the freshly placed mass of concrete until placement has been completed.
j) Concrete shall be thoroughly settled and compacted into a dense homogeneous mass throughout
the whole depth of each layer being consolidated, using internal vibrators. Excessive vibration,
causing segregation, is to be avoided. Concrete vibrators shall not be used to move concrete.
k) The concrete in cast-in-situ piles must be vibrated from the bottom upwards.
l) Unless authorised by the Supervisor, the Contractor shall not place concrete, unless the
Supervisor is present during the entire placement operation.
m) When alternative foundations consisting of multiple cast-in-situ piles and pile caps are utilised, the
Contractor shall at approximately one tower in twenty, open up on two sides of the completed
foundation of one leg, the pile cap and top 500mm of the piles, if so instructed by the Supervisor.
If the foundation is rejected for any reason, the Contractor shall open up as many additional
foundations as determined by the Supervisor, as is necessary to fully assess the problem.
Foundations accepted are to be backfilled using 10mPa concrete up to a level at least 150mm
above the base of the pile cap.
c) At all construction joints, the surfaces of the previously placed and hardened concrete shall be
thoroughly cleaned of all foreign matter, and primed with a 15mm thick layer of a wet mix of
cement and sand in equal proportions, in the presence of the Supervisor before new concrete is
placed. The grout coating shall be brushed over the concrete surface to ensure thorough coverage,
particularly between the reinforcing bars. The new concrete shall be placed before the grout
coating has taken its initial set.
6.2.4.14 Steelwork
a) All galvanised structural steel at the steel/concrete interface shall be cleaned with a suitable
cleaner before painting with two protective coats of paint acceptable to Project Manager. This
protection shall extend 500mm above and 400mm below the top surface level of the protruding
foundation blocks.
b) In the case of concrete foundations, no part of the structural steelwork of the tower shall be buried
or come into contact with the soil.
c) Anchors utilising steel extending below ground line shall be galvanised and then painted with two
coats of an accepted bitumastic paint, or be encased in concrete with at least 50mm cover. In
addition to this requirement, the hot dip galvanised steel guy anchor link plate or bar utilised for the
deadman type of anchor foundation, shall be epoxy coated from 300mm below top of concrete level
to the top end of the link above ground level. Apply in accordance with the manufacturers
specifications one coat of galvanising epoxy primer followed by one coat of aluminium filled epoxy
paint.
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3 @ 5 MINUTE
HOLDING
PERIODS
100
90 %
90
80
75 %
70
60
50 % PROOF LOAD
50
LOAD
40
3 @ 5 MINUTE
30
HOLDING PERIODS
20
10
15 mm maximum
0
DISPLACEMENT
100 % Proof load = unfactored foundation reaction for critical loading condition
c) The load shall be applied to the anchor in appropriate increments to 50%, 75%, 90% and 100% of
the proof test load, and then unloaded to 50% and again loaded to 100% of the proof test load,
twice, i.e. during two further cycles of loading. The Contractor shall monitor anchor movement
along the guy slope. Successive load increments shall not be applied until the rate of creep is
less than or equal to 0,5mm/minute. The three cycles of loading from 50% to 100% shall each be
of duration of not less than 5 minutes. The anchor shall be considered acceptable if the total
creep from 50% to 100% load over 3 cycles is less than 15mm. If the creep exceeds 15mm, the
anchor shall be modified or replaced by the Contractor and re-tested.
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7. Towers
7.1 Design
e) Unless otherwise specified, when using guyed tower ball and socket fittings, these shall be cast in
an acceptable malleable iron or steel. The radius of the hemispherical ball shall be approximately
ten percent smaller than the radius of the hemispherical socket.
f) All members shall be capable of withstanding wind induced vibration when assembled and erected
as part of a structure.
g) The following miscellaneous requirements shall be incorporated into the tower components.
i) Bolted construction is required and welded joints are not to be used.
ii) Tower members shall have flat surfaces uppermost where practicable. Pockets and
depressions likely to hold water shall be avoided and, where unavoidable, shall be properly
drained.
iii) Splices in main legs of towers shall be located immediately above bracing members.
iv) Splices shall be provided in all foundations to facilitate the use of stub extensions and to
ensure a practical splicing position for repairing main leg failures. The centre of this splice
shall be approximately 500mm above ground level.
v) Flat bars, round rods and tubes shall not be used for tower members.
vi) All long members shall be of sufficient section that, after punching or drilling, they will
withstand ordinary rough handling during erection.
vii) A minimum of two bolts shall be provided for the connection of any member, including
redundants, having a flange width equal to, or greater than 90mm.
viii) The top tension members of all crossarms, and earth conductor peaks on double circuit
towers, shall be connected by a minimum of two bolts irrespective of design requirements.
ix) The maximum unsupported horizontal length of members shall not exceed the following:
For angle section 45 x 45 x 3 = 1 500mm.
All larger sections shall be governed by the slenderness ratios specified in 7.1.12.3.
x) The design of the lower portion of towers shall be such as to reduce the danger of livestock
being caught in the angles between tower members.
On self-supporting towers a flat member, 50mm wide, shall be provided above the
intersection of the main leg and the diagonal, such that the open distance along the upper
edge of this member is not less than 120mm and not more than 140mm.
The design of the lower portion of the masts on all guyed-V towers will incorporate a steel
mesh guard, or other accepted device, of not less than one metre in height and effectively
closing the gap between the two mast columns preventing livestock entrapment.
h) Redundant bracing systems shall be arranged so that the secondary forces in any redundant
member will be carried to the intersection of a non-redundant member with the leg or any other
main member of the tower. When only one redundant member braces a leg or main member at a
point, it shall be designed for an axial compressive load of 2,5% of the maximum load in the leg or
main member it braces. When two redundant members, in planes normal to each other, are
connected to a leg or main member at the same point, they shall be designed for an axial
compressive load of 1,5% of the maximum load in the leg or main member they brace.
i) Bracing patterns using triangulated axial force systems are preferred to distribute the forces
applied to the structure in a tension/compression fashion according to their geometry and
member stiffness. If "open panels" are used, bending stresses due to unbraced forces
shall be considered.
j) A well proven non-linear large deflection computer programme, which takes into account
secondary forces due to displacements, shall be used for the analysis of guyed structures.
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d) The threaded portions of all bolts shall project through the corresponding nuts by an amount not
exceeding 15mm and not less than 3mm.
e) No threaded portion of any bolt shall occur within the thickness of the parts bolted together. To
ensure this a single washer of suitable thickness shall be placed under the nut.
f) The minimum thickness of washers shall be 3mm and the maximum thickness shall be 6mm.
g) No lock nuts or spring washers shall be used on the tower.
h) Where a pin-type connection is made at the top of masts on guyed structures, it shall be of a type
secured by means of a bolt, nut and split pin. The split pin shall be of stainless steel, with a
minimum diameter of 20% of the bolt diameter.
7.1.12.1 General
The tower members shall be designed in accordance with ASCE Manual No. 52, "Guide for design
of steel transmission towers", or alternatively, ECCS Manual No. 39, "Recommendations for
angles in lattice transmission towers", except as limited in this specification.
7.1.12.2 Definitions
L = The unsupported length of a member, without adjustment for end fixity
conditions
r = Radius of gyration (i, as per SAISC tables)
y = Minimum guaranteed yield stress/Maximum allowable design stress.
t = Tensile stress
b = Bearing stress
ASCE = American Society of Civil Engineers.
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20mm 50mm
24mm 60mm
The distance from the centre of a bolt to the face of the outstanding flange of an angle or other
member shall be such as to permit the use of a socket spanner for tightening the nut.
0,7
or
0,85
c) In the non-linear analysis of the guyed tower, the actual cross-sectional area and proper
modulus of elasticity of the guy strand selected shall be used. The modulus of elasticity shall
be taken as 159GPa for steel stranded guy wires.
d) Pre-tensioning of the guy strands will not be permitted in the tower analysis.
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7.1.15.1 General
a) All tower types and all tower and leg extensions shall be detailed, even though some of the
components may not be required.
b) The Contractor shall be responsible for the correctness of dimensions and details on the
working drawings. The acceptance of the detail drawings shall not relieve the Contractor of this
responsibility. All bent angles and plates shall be detailed to finished dimensions.
c) Connections shall be detailed in a manner to avoid eccentricity as much as possible.
Assembly bolts shall be located as near the centre of gravity of angles as is practicable.
7.1.15.4 Spacers
a) Spacers shall be provided, as necessary, for all gaps to prevent distortion of structural
members.
b) Spacers between tower members, where more than one bolt is involved, shall be one plate of
the required thickness. Where a single bolt is involved, the spacer may be made of up to three
pieces. The thickness of individual spacers shall be limited to the following standard sizes:
5mm, 8mm and 12mm.
c) Bolts and nuts that bear on sloping faces shall be provided with bevelled washers.
7.2 Fabrication
7.2.1 General
a) All parts of structures shall be fabricated in accordance with the accepted shop drawings, and
generally carried out in accordance with SABS 1200H. Workmanship and finish shall be equal to
the best modern practice for transmission tower work. Pieces having the same mark shall be
interchangeable. Members shall be straight.
b) All parts of the structure shall be neatly finished and free from kinks or twists. All holes, blocks
and clips shall be made with sharp tools and shall be clean-cut without torn or ragged edges.
c) Shearing and cutting shall be neatly and accurately done. Cuts shall be clean without drawn or
ragged edges. Particular care shall be taken in the edge finish of plates subjected to large
bending moments or large bends in fabrication.
d) Redundant material on gusset plates shall be removed.
e) All holes in structural steel less than 18mm thick may be punched to full size unless otherwise
noted on the accepted drawings. Holes shown on the drawings as drilled holes, and all holes in
structural steel 18mm or more in thickness, shall be drilled or subpunched and reamed. All holes
shall be clean cut and without torn or ragged edges. All burrs resulting from reaming or drilling
shall be removed. All holes shall be cylindrical and perpendicular to the member. Where
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necessary, to avoid distortion of the holes, holes close to the points of bends shall be made after
bending. The use of a torch for cutting holes shall not be permitted.
For punching holes to full size, the diameter of the punch shall not be more than 2mm larger than
the nominal diameter of the bolt, and the diameter of the die shall not be more than 2mm larger
than the diameter of the punch.
f) For subpunching, the diameter of the punch shall be 6mm smaller than the nominal diameter of the
bolt, and the diameter of the die shall not be more than 3mm larger than the diameter of the punch.
Subpunching for reamed work shall be such that after reaming, no punched surface shall appear in
the periphery of the hole.
g) Where holes are reamed or drilled, the diameter of the finished hole shall not be greater than the
nominal diameter of the bolt, plus 2mm.
h) All holes shall be spaced accurately in accordance with the drawings and shall be located on the
gauge lines. The maximum allowable variation in hole spacing, from that indicated on the drawings
for all bolt-holes, shall be 1mm. Misdrilled or mispunched holes may not be refilled by welding.
7.2.2 Bending
a) All forming or bending during fabrication, shall be only done according to methods accepted by the
Project Manager, such that will prevent embrittlement or loss of strength in the material being
worked. The technical requirements for hot and cold forming are as follows:
i) Only the direct resistance heating method shall be used.
ii) The length of the section to be heated shall be clearly marked on the section, and heating
equipment set accordingly.
iii) The required bending tool shall be ready on the bending press with checking jigs available at
all times.
iv) A dry run shall be made first to check that all systems are operational and that the proper
tools are used.
v) Material shall be uniformly heated over the required length, to a temperature of between
750C to 900C. Oxidation of the material shall be minimised.
vi) Heated material shall be inserted into the bending press and formed while the temperature
is still within the specified range.
vii) Formed material shall be checked immediately to ensure that they have been formed
correctly.
viii) Formed material shall be left to cool naturally.
ix) Re-checks shall be made with the appropriate jigs when material is cold.
b) If more than one bend is required on a section, the operation shall be repeated for each bend.
Repeated heating of a bend position shall not be allowed.
c) New bends shall not deform the bend previously made.
d) For bending limitations on the flaring of flanges on angle sections, refer to the Project Manager.
Any other bending of angle sections must be done hot.
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A minimum bend radius of 8mm shall apply for above table. Cold bending is not
allowed for plates in excess of 22mm thickness.
7.2.3 Marking
a) Marking shall be done by stamping the marks into the metal with numerals or letters of 10mm
minimum height. The marking shall be consistently in the same relative location near the ends on
all pieces. No other marking shall be used.
b) All steelwork shall carry a manufacturer's identification marking consisting of a minimum of three
letters. This shall be of the same height as the number code. Acceptance of the marking shall be
obtained prior to usage.
7.2.4 Galvanising
Galvanising shall be in accordance with SABS 763. All possible care shall be taken to avoid
damaging the zinc coating in transit or on site. Any material found to be damaged is to be made
good or replaced by the Contractor.
7.2.5 Welding
For components of sufficient complexity to require welding, permission must first be obtained
from the Project Manager. If permission is granted, the Contractor shall submit his
manufacturing procedure to the Project Manager for acceptance before manufacturing
commences.
7.3.2 Tower
a) If specified, tests shall be made on complete towers at an accepted tower testing facility.
b) These tests shall be made in accordance with International Electromechanical Commission (IEC)
Standards, Publication No. 652 and applying the specified test loads for a period of one minute.
c) Upon completion of testing for all specified design loads, the towers shall be tested to destruction,
if so instructed by the Project Manager.
d) Tensile tests to SABS 1431 shall be carried out on samples of steel taken from members of the
tested towers as selected by the Project Manager.
7.3.9 Acceptance
The tower shall be considered acceptable if none of the members or bolts show evidence of
permanent deformation. If any member or bolt shows evidence of permanent deformation, the
member or connection shall be redesigned and replaced. The test shall be repeated until the tower
is capable of withstanding the loads without permanent deformation.
b) All towers shall be vertical within 2mm in 1 metre in both the transverse and longitudinal directions
when erection of the tower is completed, unless a different tolerance is specified.
c) Steel towers shall be assembled and erected so as not to overstress structural members, bolts or
foundations. The assemblies shall be erected with the members supported in their proper relative
position. Structural assemblies that are not sufficiently rigid to be raised in one piece shall be
stiffened by means of temporary bracing.
d) All towers shall be assembled in strict accordance with the drawings. The size and length of all
bolts, washers, nuts, ring fills and plate fills shall be as specified on the erection drawings.
e) Contact surfaces of plates at the joints shall be cleaned of foreign materials and dirt before
assembly. Wherever possible, bolts shall be installed with threads and nuts to the outside, and
bolt heads to the inside of columns and trusses. Surfaces that are horizontal after erection shall
have bolt heads down and nuts up.
f) A reasonable amount of drifting will be allowed in the assembly of members, but driving of bolts to
correct mismatched holes will not be allowed.
g) If blind or partially blind holes, missed clips, or other minor mis-fabricated steel members are
discovered in the field, the Contractor shall notify the Supervisor and receive his acceptance prior
to effecting field repairs.
h) Where drilling, punching or clipping is done in the field, all exposed steel surfaces shall be coated
with a heavy layer of zinc-rich paint or an accepted equivalent.
i) Suitable ladders shall be used wherever necessary during erection of towers. Such ladders, and
any temporary step bolts shall be removed when erection work is not in progress.
j) After final tightening of all nuts, they shall be fixed in position by punching four indentations
symmetrically around the threads with a round pointed centre punch. The nuts and exposed bolt
thread shall be painted with an accepted calcium plumbate based galvanised iron primer.
k) After erection, all towers shall be cleaned of all foreign matter or surplus paint.
h) The guys shall remain properly tensioned so that the tower remains plumb during, and after
conductor stringing and clamping. Conductor stringing operations shall be halted if any guy in a
sag section becomes slack during the operation.
i) During erection, if it becomes necessary to leave the guys at reduced tension for longer than
twenty-four hours, the Supervisor shall be informed immediately.
j) The Project Manager shall accept the method of locking the guy grip and guy guard at the anchor
end of the guy wire. The guy guard shall not be locked over the guy grip until the Supervisor has
inspected, and accepted the guy grip installation and the presence of adequate locking.
7.4.4 Tower labels
Tower labels are to be manufactured and installed as in TRMSCABC9 Design, manufacturing
and installation specification for transmission line labels.
8. Stringing
d) The Contractor shall notify the Supervisor, at least 30 days in advance, of the time he intends to
make crossings of power lines, communication lines, major roads or railways. This notification
shall state the location of the crossing to be made, the approximate time of the permit, the length
of time that will be required to effect the crossing, and the duration of permit requested.
e) The Employer will endeavour to arrange that all crossings be made with the crossed line de-
energised. The time of line outages shall be kept to the absolute minimum. All preparatory work
shall be done prior to the work permit coming into effect. Upon completion of the work, the
Contractor shall immediately notify the Supervisor that lines are clear and release his working
permit.
f) Special scaffolding may be required at certain crossings. If so, the Supervisor will instruct the
Contractor to provide suitable scaffolding and nets
j) Adequate protection shall be provided where there is danger of conductors being damaged by
vehicles or other equipment and objects. Conductors shall not be left in contact with the ground,
vegetable matter or any conducting or semi-conducting material. Wood lagging or similar material
shall be used to protect the conductor when working at ground level.
k) Radio communications shall be used to relay information and instructions between the conductor
tensioning station, intermediate check points, mobile stations and the pulling station at all times
during a stringing-tensioning operation. An outage of radio communications at any station will
require immediate cessation of conductor pulling operations.
l) The placement of tensioning and pulling equipment shall be such that the vertical angle of pull on a
crossarm during stringing operations shall not be more than 20. Conductors shall not be pulled
around angles that exceed 20. With tandem-mounted blocks, the pulling angle shall not exceed
40.
m) The sheaves shall conform to the conductor manufacturer's recommendation as to diameter, and
to size and shape of groove for the size of conductor used. Sheaves shall have a minimum
diameter of fifteen times the conductor diameter at the base of the groove. Block surfaces that will
be in contact with the conductor shall be coated with neoprene or rubber. This covering shall be
kept clean and free of materials that might damage the conductor surface. The conductor sheaves
shall have a separate groove for the pulling line. The pulling line shall not run on the rubber covered
conductor grooves. The sheaves shall be inspected for damage or contamination before each
usage. The Contractor shall not use any sheaves rejected by the Supervisor due to damage or
excessive wear. The Contractor shall immediately remove such sheaves from the site.
n) During stringing operations and before regulating, if it becomes necessary to leave the conductor in
the blocks for longer than eighteen hours, the conductor shall be left at reduced tension, and the
Supervisor immediately notified. The percentage of sag, spans involved, time interval, and
correction for creep shall be noted, and records forwarded to the Supervisor. In no case shall
conductors be left with less than the following clearances:
cultivated or open country : 6 metres,
roads and trails: 8 metres,
railroad tracks: 9 metres.
8.2.3 Joints
a) Before stringing commences, the Contractor will be required to compress sample phase and earth
conductor mid span joints, as well as phase conductor dead/end assemblies on site in the
presence of the Supervisor, using the matched and numbered dies and compressors intended to
be used on the line during stringing. The length of conductor between any two fittings on the
sample shall be not less than 100 times the overall diameter of the conductor.
At an acceptable testing authority a tensile load of about 50% of the breaking load of the
conductor shall be applied and the conductor shall be marked in such a way that movement
relative to the fitting can easily be detected. Without any subsequent adjustment of the fitting, the
load shall be steadily increased to 95% of the breaking load and then reduced to 90% of the
breaking load and maintained for 1 min. There shall be no movement of the conductor relative to
the fitting due to slip during this period of 1 min and no failure of the fitting. The conductor shall
then be loaded to failure, and shall again withstand a minimum load of 95% of the minimum
breaking strength of the conductor for it to be deemed acceptable. If the sample fails this test, a
further three (3) samples shall be tested and will all be required to pass the above. If any one or
more of these samples fail, no stringing shall commence until the Project Manager is satisfied that
the equipment is acceptable. A copy of the test report shall be forwarded to the Project Manager,
prior to stringing.
b) As far as possible, complete drum lengths of conductor and earth conductor shall be used to
reduce the number of joints. Joints shall not be closer than 15 metres to the nearest suspension
tower or 30 metres from the nearest strain tower. Joints shall not be installed in spans crossings
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railways, proclaimed roads, power or important communication lines. In no case shall more than
one joint be installed in a given span, nor shall a joint be installed in a span dead-ended at both
ends. The minimum distance between joints shall be 300 metres.
c) Whenever joints or dead-ends are made, auxiliary erection clamps and hauling devices shall not
be placed closer than 8m to the point of joint or dead-end. The auxiliary erection clamps shall not
allow relative movement of strands or layers of wire, and shall not birdcage, over tension or deform
individual wires.
d) The conductor shall be cut with a ratchet or guillotine cutter to produce a clean cut, retaining the
normal strand lay and producing minimum burrs. The aluminium strands shall then be stripped
from the steel core by using an acceptable stripper. Under no circumstances shall high tensile
hacksaw blades be used to cut conductor.
e) The conductor shall be laid out for a distance of 15 metres and straightened at the ends before
preparation for installation of joints or dead-ends. Compression jointing shall be carried out on a
clean tarpaulin or jointing trailer. The lay of wires shall be tightened before the first compression is
made. The conductor strands shall be cleaned by wire brushing and an accepted non-oxidising
paste applied. Compression shall be carefully made so that the completed joint or dead-end is as
straight as possible. To minimise distortion, the joint should be rotated 180 between each
compression operation, the joint and conductor being fully supported in the same plane as the
compression jaws. If, in the opinion of the Supervisor, the completed joint or dead-end requires
straightening, it shall be straightened on a wooden block by use of a sledgehammer and shaper or
wooden mallet.
If, in the opinion of the Supervisor, the joint or dead-end has not been satisfactorily straightened or
has been damaged in the process, the Contractor shall replace it.
f) After compression has been completed, all corners, sharp projections and indentations resulting
from compression shall be carefully rounded. All other edges and corners of the fitting that have
been damaged shall be carefully rounded to their original radius. Nicked or abraded surfaces shall
be carefully smoothed. Tape, tape residue and filler paste shall be removed from fittings and
conductors.
g) Sufficient notification must be given to Supervisor prior to the installation of compression fittings.
Unless previously agreed all joints and dead-ends shall be installed in the presence of the
Supervisor.
h) Under no circumstances shall compression joint be allowed to pass the travellers.
i) During the progress of the stringing, the Contractor shall keep an accurate record of the spans in
which conductor and earth conductor joints are made, the date of assembly onto the conductor.
A copy of these records shall be supplied to the Project Manager.
NOTE: No compound squeezed out by clamping pressure shall be used in making further joints.
The Contractor shall apply such compound as necessary for making the connections by the
method outlined above. On bolted connections care shall be taken during the tightening to avoid
overstressing the bolts or components of the clamps. A torque wrench shall be used for tightening
each bolt to the required torque.
Tighten all bolts and U-bolts to their specified torque.
Leave clamps for 24 hours to allow aluminium conductor to expand and contract.
Check all bolts to ensure that they are still at the required torque.
8.2.6 Regulating
a) The Contractor shall string all conductors and earth conductors to the appropriate sags and
tensions as determined from the conditions specified in the Works Information. The calculation of
sag corrections for creep and clamping offsets shall be the responsibility of the Contractor, based
on charts supplied by the Project Manager. Such calculations shall be submitted to, and
accepted by the Project Manager prior to regulating.
b) Conductors and earth conductors shall be strung to the appropriate sag determined for the actual
span length, and the equivalent span of the strain section involved.
c) The ruling/equivalent span of a strain section is given by the formula
TRANSMISSION LINE TOWERS REFERENCE REV
AND LINE CONSTRUCTION TRMSCAAC1 3
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L 3
Le = i
Li
where Li is the length of the individual spans in the strain section. The sag Se for the equivalent
span Le, is the sag determined from the conditions specified, i.e. appropriate conductor
temperature. The correct sag S for any actual span length L in a strain section of equivalent span
Le is then given by:
L
S=( ) x Se
Le
The appropriate conductor temperature to be used for sagging shall be determined by means of a
Celsius thermometer inserted in the end of a suitable length of conductor or earth conductor from
which a 150mm length has been removed from the centre strand, or other accepted method. The
wire with the thermometer inserted shall be hung at crossarm level for at least two hours before
the temperature is read.
d) The length of a section of phase and earth conductors to be regulated at any one time shall be
limited to that length that will assure attainment of correct sag based upon terrain and
obstructions.
e) Where there are a large number of suspension towers between strain towers, regulating of phase
and earth conductors shall be done at intervals of 3 to 5 spans. In hilly country the conductors
may require to be temporarily anchored one span away from the spans being regulated. The sag
spans chosen shall be near each end of the section pulled for single conductor lengths, and near
each end and at the middle for double conductor lengths. In addition, the sags shall be checked
in all spans over 500 metres. In unusual situations, the Supervisor may require additional checks.
f) The Contractor shall provide, and maintain in good condition, suitable dynamometers, sag boards
or other accepted apparatus for the proper checking of the work. Dynamometers shall read in
Newtons and shall be tested and recalibrated at regular intervals. The Contractor shall keep
dynamometer calibration certificates at the site office.
g) The Contractor shall notify the Supervisor at least twenty-four hours prior to any planned regulating
operation. No regulating shall be done except in his presence, unless otherwise authorised. The
Contractor shall furnish labour and equipment, for signalling and climbing purposes as requested
by the Supervisor, to facilitate his inspection of the sag.
h) In pulling up the conductor, caution shall be used to avoid pulling the conductor above sag.
i) The maximum elapsed time from the beginning of the pulling operation to the completion of the
regulating operation, shall not exceed seventy two hours, nor shall the maximum elapsed time
between the completion of the regulating operation, and the completion of the clamping operation
exceed seventy two hours. Conductor remaining in the blocks longer than the established limits
shall be subject to inspection and, if damaged, replaced. The Contractor shall furnish labour and
equipment as requested by the Supervisor for this purpose, as well as for inspection in the event of
sudden windstorms.
j) No minus regulating tolerance will be allowed. A plus regulating tolerance of 0,01 times the
theoretical sag, but not exceeding 150mm will be allowed, provided all conductors in the regulating
span assume the same relative position to true sag. Sags of conductors in the same bundle shall
not vary more than 35mm relative to one another. Sag variances between phases shall not be
apparent to the naked eye.
k) When finally adjusting the sags of conductors and earth conductors, the sag shall be checked
with sag boards, or other accepted methods in spans where the levels of the two towers are
approximately the same, and the span length is approximately equal to the equivalent span length
of the strain section. Upon completion of this regulating operation, as many successive spans as
can be observed from the sag board position shall be checked for uniformity of sag.
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l) All conductors, except for conductors in sag sections over flat terrain, shall be plumb-marked at
each structure for the complete section regulated, before clamping-in or dead-ending of the
conductor is begun. Conductors shall be marked with paint crayon or wax pencil - not with metal
objects.
m) Insulator strings on three suspension towers adjacent to a new section to be regulated must be
clamped to the conductor before temporary anchors are removed and regulating of the new section
begins. These insulators shall remain in the plumb position upon completion of regulating of the
new section and during plumb-marking.
n) Regulating operations shall be conducted during daylight hours only. Regulating operations shall
be suspended at any time, when in the opinion of the Supervisor, wind or other adverse weather
conditions would prevent satisfactory regulating.
o) Records of temperature, sag and tension for each section regulated shall be kept by the
Contractor, and a copy supplied to the Project Manager.
p) On completion of regulating of a section of the line, the Contractor shall measure and record all
clearances over roads, powerlines, communication lines, railways etc. along the route. A copy of
these records is to be submitted to the Project Manager. The Supervisor is to be notified
immediately of any discrepancy found between the actual clearance and that shown on the
profiles.
d) Vibration dampers shall be installed when clamping the conductor, but only after the conductor
has been securely fastened in the conductor support assembly.
e) Stockbridge type vibration dampers shall be installed so that they hang directly under the
conductor.
f) The installation of vibration dampers shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's
recommendations.
8.2.10 Jumpers
a) The jumpers shall be formed to provide the maximum amount of clearance from earthed hardware,
and tower steelwork. Their positioning shall comply with the clearances stated under the specified
displacements.
b) The Contractor shall supply labour and equipment to assist the Supervisor in measuring
clearances from jumpers to earthed hardware if requested.
c) Jumpers not meeting the required clearances shall be removed and replaced.
Refer to TRMASACB2 Standard for the installation of overhead ground wire with optical fibre
(OPGW).
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Annex A
Revision information
Revision: 0
Total pages: 5
Content Page
1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................2
2. Policy Statement ...............................................................................................................2
3. Supporting Clause s.........................................................................................................3
3.1.1 Purpose .........................................................................................................................3
3.1.2 Applicability ....................................................................................................................3
4 Authorisation .......................................................................................................................4
5 Revisions ............................................................................................................................4
6 Development team ..............................................................................................................4
Note: Concerns queries and comments on this document should be referred to the compiler
When downloaded from Transmission dat abas e, this document is uncont rolled, responsibility lies with the
user to ensure that it is the authorised version.
When downl oaded f rom the EDC website, this document is uncontrolled and the responsibility rests with the user to ensure it is in line
with the authorised v ersion on the website. Note: This document has not been through the EDC processes prior to authorisation.
TRANSMISSION ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Unique Identifier: TPL41-435
Revision: 0
Page: 2 of 5
1. Introduction
Transmission business is committed to manage and c ontrol its environmental impact by supporting a
precautionary approach to environmental challenges within the defined scope of the Environmental
Management System.
2. Policy Statement
Transmission will:
Continually improve environmental performance.
Comply with applicable legislation and regulations as well as Eskom Holdings policies and
guidelines as a minimum.
Prevent pollution of the environment.
2.1 Strategy
The strategy is to minimise and prevent environmental impact by setting policy related objectives
and targets in the following areas:
Identify potential significant environmental incidents and risks; and develop plans to
prevent, correct and monitor their effects should they occur.
Prevent environment al incidents and wildlife interactions by researching and utilising
processes, practices, materials or products to improve the quality of supply.
Establish, implement, maint ain and continually improve the environment al management
system that is consistent with ISO 14001: 2004 in order to manage and control
environmental impacts.
Promote the sustainable utilisation of land affected by its activities by developing and
implementing environmental management programmes.
Educate, train and motivate employ ees and people working on its behalf in environmental
management.
2.1.6 Resource allocation
Promote open communication with personnel and other stakeholders in order to share
information relating to environmental management and the business.
Note: Concerns queries and comments on this document should be referred to the compi ler
When downloaded from Transmission dat abas e, this document is uncont rolled, responsibility lies with the
user to ensure that it is the authorised version
TRANSMISSION ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Unique Identifier: TPL41-435
Revision: 0
Page: 3 of 5
3. Supporting Clauses
Additional policies may be developed in support of the aims and objectives of this policy, and are
seen as equal in stature. Provisions of this doc ument will apply to all policies developed in terms
of this clause, except where specifically stated.
3.1 Scope
3.1.1 Purpose
This policy serves as the basis for environmental management within Transmission Division inside and
external to South Africa, and relevant subsidiaries, and to ensure uniformity in the application thereof in all
applicable operations.
3.1.2 Applicability
This policy shall apply throughout Transmission wherein Transmission has a controlling interest, including
contractors, suppliers and service providers and customers where significant impacts and risks may
occur.
The following document(s) contain provisions that, through reference in the text, Constitute requirements
of this template. At the time of publication, the edition indicated was valid. All controlled documents are
subject to revision, and parties to agreements based on this template are encouraged to investigate the
possibility of applying the most recent edition of the document(s) listed below. Information on currently
valid national and international standards and specifications can be obt ained from the Information Centre
and Transmission Documentation Centre at Simmerpan.
ISO 14001:2004, Environmental Management System Specification with guidance for use
3.3 Definitions
3.4 Abbreviations
This policy shall apply throughout Eskom Transmission. All Transmissions Business Units shall be
responsible and accountable for the implementation of this policy.
Note: Concerns queries and comments on this document should be referred to the compi ler
When downloaded from Transmission dat abas e, this document is uncont rolled, responsibility lies with the
user to ensure that it is the authorised version
TRANSMISSION ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Unique Identifier: TPL41-435
Revision: 0
Page: 4 of 5
Detailed monitoring requirements are included in the monitoring and measurement proc edure TP C41-118.
4 Authorisation
Name Designation
E Johnson Senior General Manager: System Operator & System Planning
W Majola General Manager: Services
S Scheppers General Manager: System Planning
J Machinjike General Manager: Grid
K Lakmeeharan General Manager: System Operat or
T Molefe General Manager: Finance & Business Suppo rt
J du Plessis Human Resources Manager
J la Grange Business Planning Manager
C Reddy Grid Manager Apollo CS & Acting Grid Manager Nort h East
R Gamede Grid Manager Central
J Marabwa Grid Manager East
S Matlala Grid Manager North
S Mazibuko Grid Manager North West
I Fick Grid Manager South
J Mashao Grid Manager West
5 Revisions
Date Rev. Remarks
6 Development team
Note: Concerns queries and comments on this document should be referred to the compi ler
When downloaded from Transmission dat abas e, this document is uncont rolled, responsibility lies with the
user to ensure that it is the authorised version
TRANSMISSION ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Unique Identifier: TPL41-435
Revision: 0
Page: 5 of 5
Note: Concerns queries and comments on this document should be referred to the compi ler
When downloaded from Transmission dat abas e, this document is uncont rolled, responsibility lies with the
user to ensure that it is the authorised version
Appendix D.3
Content
Page
1. Introduction.................................................................................................................. 2
2. Principles to be applied to the erection of gates.......................................................... 2
3. Eskom Servitude Gates............................................................................................... 3
5. Supporting Clauses ..................................................................................................... 6
19. Annexure A: Standard drawing.................................................................................... 9
Note: Concerns queries and comments on this document should be referred to the compiler
When downloaded from Transmission database, this document is uncontrolled, responsibility lies with
the user to ensure that it is the authorised version
TRANSMISSION SERVITUDE GATES Reference: TGL41-338
STANDARD Revision: 0
Page: 2 Of 9
1. Introduction
The purpose of this standard is to establish the principles to ensure appropriate gates to be used in
Transmission servitudes.
The Fencing Act (Act 63of 1963) regulates matters about fences between properties. Fences are used
by the landowner to control the movement of animals as well as to safeguard the property.
Transmission and its contractor use servitude gates to gain access to the line for repair, maintenance
and inspection of the line. At no time will fences be dropped to gain access to land, except in an
emergency or with the approval of the landowner.
Access to land by any visitor or contractor shall be gained observing the directions of the Guideline
Access to Farms TPC41-340.
After construction, gates may require replacement due to theft, damage, or corrosion. The width of the
gate shall be sufficient to permit access during construction and during and emergency. Refer to figure
1 below.
Gates which are installed shall be in keeping with the rest of the fence and shall be fit for purpose.
Where appropriate, game gates or gates with jackal proofing may be required. The replacement gate
should be appropriate to the type of fencing used, fit for service and affordable. Replacement of gates
may be with or without posts. Where possible the use of standard commercial gates is recommended.
Refer to figure 2 below. Each case will be decided on its own merit and should consider any
reasonable request from landowners. Where wooden posts are used, proper earthing should be
applied.
If a landowner wishes to upgrade his fence to a game fence, Eskom shall install an appropriate game
gate.
Vehicle
Fence Fence
Fence Fence
4,5m
Figure 2: A schematic showing the use of two standard Co-op gates to cover the 4,5m gap.
Figure 3: Standard Eskom gate as was used on the Hydra- Drorivier No 3 Line.
TRANSMISSION SERVITUDE GATES Reference: TGL41-338
STANDARD Revision: 0
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Figure 4 A game fence as used on the Matimba-Spitskop 1&2 lines. Note that the top section has been
omitted as per the latest 5m game gate design.
Figure 5: An example of a concertina gate that is being used as a servitude gate. Also note quality of
fencing used adjacent to the gate. (Photo Jorge Correia)
The gate is made from wooden droppers and barbed wire and is inexpensive. This type of gate is
widely used throughout South Africa.
TRANSMISSION SERVITUDE GATES Reference: TGL41-338
STANDARD Revision: 0
Page: 5 Of 9
4. Drawings
For drawings of gate see
TRANSMISSION SERVITUDE GATES Reference: TGL41-338
STANDARD Revision: 0
Page: 6 Of 9
5. Supporting Clauses
NOT APPLICABLE.
8. Applicability
9. Normative/Informative References
Parties using this document shall apply the most recent edition of the documents listed below:
9.1. Normative
9.2. Informative
10. Definitions
TRANSMISSION SERVITUDE GATES Reference: TGL41-338
STANDARD Revision: 0
Page: 7 Of 9
Land owner: A land owner is defined for the purposes of this document as the owner of the land,
registered as such in the Deeds Office, his/her assignee, representative or the legal occupier,
manager or lessee of the land.
Contractor. Any company or person that performs work for or on behalf of Eskom Transmission on
the servitude or line.
11. Abbreviations
Not applicable
16. Authorisation
This document has been seen and accepted by:
Name Designation
W Majola GM Services
J Machinjike GM Grids
17. Revisions
Date Rev. Remarks
Content
Page
-1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 2
2. The threat of soil erosion in the servitude. ................................................................................. 2
3. Soil erosion and the life cycle of the servitude........................................................................... 3
4. Proposed solutions to combat soil erosion in the servitude....................................................... 4
5. Erosion prevention structures. ................................................................................................... 5
6. The land owner and soil erosion ................................................................................................ 7
7. Implementation strategy............................................................................................................. 8
8. Supporting Clauses.................................................................................................................... 8
9. Authorisation ............................................................................................................................11
10. Revisions..................................................................................................................................11
11. Development team ...................................................................................................................11
Annexures.......................................................................................................................................11
Note: Concerns queries and comments on this document should be referred to the compiler
When downloaded from Transmission database, this document is uncontrolled, responsibility lies with
the user to ensure that it is the authorised version
EROSION GUIDELINE Reference: TGL41-337
Revision: 0
Page: 2 Of 13
1. Introduction
Soil erosion is a problem that could be labelled as one of the more serious environmental problems
that South Africa faces. The production of fertile topsoil that will support good plant growth and prevent
soil erosion is an extremely slow process. Van Heerden (2000) states that it takes between 12 to 40
years to produce one millimetre of topsoil whilst the loss due to soil erosion is estimated at 0.7 ton per
hectare per year.
Soil erosion is a natural process resulting from the dynamic character of the earth. Of the three natural
patterns that dominate the earth, namely climate, vegetation and soil, climate is perceived as the
principle component shaping the other two (Schultze, 1997). Periodic droughts that destroy plants and
subsequent heavy rains lead to soil erosion. But poor farming practices, mechanical exposure of soils
and the building of poorly planned roads that are the most important causes of soil erosion (Van
Heerden, 2000). He further states that the importance of plants in the prevention of soil erosion cannot
be over emphasized.
This document does not discuss specific remedies but looks rather at erosion as it pertains to
overhead lines and the problems caused by erosion. Proper remedies will have to be planned and
implemented by experts.
In the first case, erosion in the vicinity of the tower could threaten its structural integrity. Failure to
remedy the situation may lead to the collapse of the tower and line.
Figure 1: The photo on the left shows the foundation of a tower exposed by erosion. The photo on the
right shows the extensive and costly remediation by using gabions and reno matresses. Also note the
use of good topsoil that will permit the re-establishment of vegetation around the tower (photos Jorge
Correia).
Secondly, erosion in the area between towers may not threaten the towers directly or initially, but
will prevent access for maintenance or emergency repair purposes.
EROSION GUIDELINE Reference: TGL41-337
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Figure 2. Examples of erosion in the servitude, which hampers access during maintenance and
emergencies.
Thirdly, the causing of erosion is a contravention of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act
No. 43 of 1983. This stands in the face of Transmissions ISO14000 certification and
environmental policy. It further leads to poor relations with landowners.
Figure 3. Extensive measures taken to prevent erosion, during the construction of access roads for a
new power line. Continuous cellular mat (left) and gabions (right) are some of the measures used
during the building of access roads during the construction phase of a power line. (Photos: Jose
Clara).
The stabilisation of soils, particularly in the vicinity of watercourses, requires special attention.
The access roads also require careful planning and regularly spaced berms are required to prevent
erosion. The design and spacing of these berms will be discussed below.
The impact of the activities during the maintenance cycle of the servitude is relatively low as patrols in
the servitude are carried out infrequently. The veld management practices of the land owner or land
occupiers would have the dominating effect on soil erosion during this phase.
EROSION GUIDELINE Reference: TGL41-337
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A number of aspects that should be considered in the planning phase are discussed in Brandt et al
(1997). It includes the erosion and soil types, and topography. These aspects will influence the method
of remedy to be implemented.
The main objective in the planning of erosion structures is achieved by channelling water through a
structure of low erodability. Drop-inlets could be used here or slopes may be stabilised with
biodegradable erosion control blankets. The placement of silt screens downstream retains silt and
seeds and further encourages the re-growth of plant material. A number of solutions are available,
which could be categorised as follows
The correct placing of these structures will be based on the expected volume of water, soil type and
the slope of the terrain and should be carried out by a specialist. The Agricultural Research Council
has developed a number of publications on this aspect. These documents are noted under references.
According to Mathee & Russel (1998) roads should be planned according to principles of water runoff
and should ideally be positioned on a watershed or ridge. They state that the over-all slope of a road
should not exceed 7% and may over short distances be increased but should never exceed 18%.
During the design of a power line however, very sensitive soils may cause a change in route. Normally
access roads run along the line and mitigation for runoff consists of the building of berms.
Figure 4. Examples of well constructed berms under the Hydra-Drorivier 1&3 lines. This design uses
an overflow dam to spread water collected by the berm (see arrows). After ten years virtually no
maintenance is required on these structures.
Regular spacing of berms will prevent the formation of erosion of the access roads. These should be
spaced as follows:
Berm spacing (in Metres):
______300m________
Slope of the road (%)
EROSION GUIDELINE Reference: TGL41-337
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(Mathee & Russel, 1998).
Combrinck and Marais (2003) also refer to a number of important design aspects concerning access
roads. Also refer to the TRANSMISSION LINE TOWERS AND LINE CONSTRUCTION specification
for further design details.
Areas that have highly erodable soils as well as areas in the vicinity of watercourses require special
measures as shown above in figure 3 above.
Figure 5. An example of an inappropriately designed gabion. No geotextile or apron was used in this
case and erosion eventually occurred under the structure. No provision was made to prevent erosion
at the overflow.
EROSION GUIDELINE Reference: TGL41-337
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1 2
3 4
Figure 6 shows the steps in the construction of a silt-screen. Girls from two schools in Pretoria on the
Mabula Game farm carried out this exercise. In photo 1 the trench is dug across the erosion channel
and Y standards are placed to form the main part of the structure. In photo 2 the Y standards are
connected with stay wires and covered with wire mesh. The structure is then covered with a
biodegradable geo-textile in photo 3. In photo 4 the structure is completed by adding an apron, made
of geo-textile and wire mesh.
The silt-screen is used to trap small particles and seeds, whilst permitting the water to pass through. In
this way the fertile trapped soil will permit the re-growth of vegetation and aid the stabilization of the
soil. These structures are placed at intervals such that the re-growth of the one structure will reach the
overflow of the previous one.
These structures are cheap to construct and the material that is used is a very strong knitted
polyethylene, which is biodegradable and will not pollute the environment. The structures are spaced
at intervals, which are determined by the slope, vegetation and soils present. (van Heerden 2000, p3-
4). A typical design appears in Annexure A
EROSION GUIDELINE Reference: TGL41-337
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In cases where all the topsoil was washed away and vegetation is absent, water penetration is low and
runoff high. The rehabilitation of the vegetation is normally achieved by the removal of animals, the
ploughing and planting of vegetation (van Heerden 2000). The success of these measures is also
highly dependent on sufficient rain.
To overcome this problem, use is made of a silicate water-retaining mineral. This mineral absorbs
water during rain and then retains it. The water does not evaporate but remains accessible to the
plants.
Recently, the following procedure was suggested for soil reclamation. A mixture of soil, manure, seeds
and a silicate water retardant mineral is mixed and placed in long bags made of a geotextile. These
bags are then pinned to the ground, following the contour.
The soil and manure provides the growth medium for the seed that is mixed in. The plants chosen for
this purpose should preferably be less palatable that the surrounding plants, else animals may destroy
the efforts.
The silicate water retardant will absorb water during rains, but will then retain it for use by the plants
during dry spells. Because the geo-textile material is biodegradable, it will decompose with time after
the plants have established themselves.
Figure 7. The photo on the left shows an area without topsoil or plant material. The position of the
contour is being determined. The photo on the right shows the silicate mineral after water has been
added.
The remedies, which involve the re-establishment of vegetation, will necessitate the co-operation of
the landowner and his grazing cycles. Where possible, areas under rehabilitation should be fenced off,
but this is often not practical for power line servitudes.
It is therefore vitally important for the successful rehabilitation of erosion, to involve the landowner in
solving the problem.
In many cases, landowners have the means to implement some of the remedies suggested above,
with their own equipment and labour. This work may be carried out during slack times and in this way
contribute to sustainable job creation in the rural areas.
This approach is also certain to reduce any complaints about work quality and claims for gates left
open by third party contractors. The landowner will also have a stake in ensuring success of the
project.
EROSION GUIDELINE Reference: TGL41-337
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Solutions such as the SRRs may also be manufactured by rural communities and supplied to a
rehabilitation project.
Figure 8. The photos show the mixing of the soil, the manure seed and silicate mineral before placing
it in the geotextile bags.
7. Implementation strategy
Due to the extent of erosion on servitudes, the following strategy for controlling erosion is proposed to
provide maximum protection at lowest cost:
Maintain existing berms on servitude roads
Repair any damaged berms
Create berms according to the specifications of this document where necessary.
Treat new erosion with small structures where possible.
Restore large erosion structures according a formal and structures plan for each region.
8. Supporting Clauses
Index of Supporting Clauses
4.1. Scope ......................................................................................................................................... 9
4.2. Normative/Informative References ............................................................................................ 9
4.3. Definitions................................................................................................................................... 9
4.4. Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................. 9
4.5. Roles and Responsibilities .......................................................................................................10
4.6. Implimentation date..................................................................................................................10
4.7. Process for monitoring .............................................................................................................10
4.8. Related/Supporting Documents ...............................................................................................10
EROSION GUIDELINE Reference: TGL41-337
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8.1. Scope
The purpose of this guideline is to highlight the need for the control of erosion in Transmission
servitudes and to introduce alternative methods for the prevention of erosion.
8.1.1. Purpose
The purpose of this guideline is to highlight the need for the control of erosion in Transmission
servitudes and to introduce alternative methods for the prevention of erosion.
8.1.2. Applicability
Schultze, R.E., 1997: Climate In Cowling R.M., D.M. Richardson, S.M. Pierce (eds): Vegetation of
Southern Africa. Cambridge: Press Syndicate Cambridge University, 421-446.
Van Heerden, J.P.J., 2000. Versperrings en Klein Strukture om Gronderosie te bekamp. Agricultural
Research Council Institute for Agricultural EngineeringTechnical Brochure. ISBN 1-919685-89-8
Viljoen, L., L.J.B.Smalberger, 1974. Herwinning van kaal kolle en yl bedekte veld deur progressiewe
bewerkingsmetodes. Bladskrif no. 108 Afdeling Landbou-ingenieurswese, Departement van Landbou-
tegniese Dienste.Pretoria.
Brandt, D.J., S.W.Jacobs, A.T.van Coller, N.E.von Wielligh, E.C. Dreyer, H.E.King, A.J. Roets, J.J.van
Staden, E.U.Koch. 1997. Chapter 10.1 Introduction to soil conservation structures National Soil
Conservation Manual. Institute for Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Research Council. Pretoria.
Mathee, J.F la G., W.B.Russel. 1998. Chapter 12.4: Soil Conservation alongside Roads. National Soil
Conservation Manual. Institute for Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Research Council. Pretoria.
Combrinck W., J.P. Marais, 2003. Ground erosion protection, rehabilitation and Maintenance. In The
Fundamentals and Practice of Overhead line maintenance. C Cameron, E.Marshall,L Pilay,
A.C.Britten, J Reynders (eds). Crown Publications. Johannesburg.
Appleyard, P.D. 2001. TRANSMISSION LINE TOWERS AND LINE CONSTRUCTION. Eskom
Transmission Specification TRMSCAAC1.
8.3. Definitions
.none
8.4. Abbreviations
SRR- Soil Reclamation rolls
EROSION GUIDELINE Reference: TGL41-337
Revision: 0
Page: 10 Of 13
9. Authorisation
This document has been seen and accepted by:
(i.e. The manager/s of the divisions who shall be affected by the content of this document)
Name Designation
W. Majola GM (Services)
J.Machinjike GM Grids
EN Matya Managing Director (Generation Division)
PJ Maroga Managing Director (Transmission Division)
MM Ntsokolo Managing Director (Distribution Division)
JA Dladla Managing Director (Key Sales & Customer Service Division)
NL (Nthobi) Angel Managing Director (External Relations Division)
Dr SJ Lennon Managing Director (Resources & Strategy Division)
ME Letlape Managing Director (Human Resources Division)
PD Mbonyana Managing Director (Corporate Division)
BA Dames Managing Director (Enterprises Division)
10. Revisions
Date Rev. Remarks
Annexures
Direction of flow
3000mm
Anchor wire
Y-Standards
Information supplied by
the Agricultural Research
Council, Institute of
Agricultural Engineering
SECTION
Note: Concerns queries and comments on this document should be referred to the compiler
When downloaded from Transmission database, this document is uncontrolled, responsibility lies with the user to ensure that it is the authorised version
EROSION GUIDELINE Reference: TGL41-337
Revision: 0
Annexure A Page: 2 Of 13
Freeboar
Wire attached to iron
Iron Standard
d
Wire mesh folded over and attached to
Anchor i
wire Geotextile folded over and
Direction of
Overflow
attached to mesh
height
flow
Iron Standard
Excavated soil to Geotextile
be placed Min 1m Wire mesh
upstream of the Bottom of donga
Back
fill
Excavation
Information supplied
by the Agricultural
Research Council,
Institute of Agricultural
Engineering
Contents
Page
1 Scope ............................................................................................................................................. 2
2 Normative references..................................................................................................................... 2
3 Definitions ...................................................................................................................................... 2
4 Requirements................................................................................................................................. 3
4.1 General requirements for all bush clearing of powerline servitude routes ............................ 3
4.2 Procedure to be followed in determining bush clearing requirements................................... 7
4.3 Bush clearing requirements for new powerline construction projects.................................... 10
4.4 Bush clearing requirements for the maintenance of existing powerline servitudes............... 11
Annexes
A Bush clearing checklist to determine actions required (see 4.2.2) ................................................ 12
B Sketch plan for bush clearing specifications.................................................................................. 13
C Minimum clearances and general servitude widths ...................................................................... 14
MGM/jj/AS-21/Mar00
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1 Scope
This standard sets out the manner in which all initial powerline route clearing and any subsequent
vegetation maintenance is to be performed within all Eskom powerlines servitudes.
It sets the minimum standards for bush clearing and maintenance of all powerline routes and indicates
Eskom's rights and responsibilities.
2 Normative references
The following documents contain provisions that, through reference in the text, constitute
requirements of this standard. At the time of publication the editions indicated were valid. All
standards are subject to review and parties to agreements based on this standard are encouraged to
investigate the possibility of applying the most recent revisions of the standards listed below.
Information on currently valid national and international standards may be obtained from the
Information Centre at Megawatt Park and Technology Standardization Department.
CD/P 070, Pruning and cutting of trees near energised power lines.
Commercial Timber Growers Guideline for: Maintenance and management agreement in forest
plantation areas and servitude areas (available from Eskoms Legal department).
3 Definitions
3.1 commercial timber growers: Timber growers, both individually or as represented by the Forest
Owners Association, South African Wattle Growers Union or the South African Timber Growers
Association and their personnel. (Commercial Timber Growers Guideline)
3.2 environment: The surroundings within which humans exist and that are made up of:
a) the land, water and atmosphere of the earth;
c) any part or combination of (i) and (ii) and the interrelationships among and between them; and
d) the physical, chemical, aesthetic and cultural properties and conditions of the foregoing that
influence human health and well-being. (National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107
of 1998))
3.4 plantation: Any trees planted and managed by commercial timber growers for commercial
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3.5 servitude: Eskom servitudes registered in the Deeds Office as well as rights obtained in terms of
an agreement.
3.6 weeds and invader plants: Weeds and invader plants, as defined under Section 1 of the
Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 (Act 43 of 1983) and Government Notice R1048 of
25 May 1984 Part 2, or any list of invaders as may be agreed upon between Eskom and the Timber
Industry or as identified by the Agricultural Research Council and the Plant Protection Research
Institute (Handbook No.5 Plant Invaders of Southern Africa).
4 Requirements
4.1 General requirements for all bush clearing of powerline servitude routes
The objective of powerline route bush maintenance is to ensure the safe mechanical and electrical
operation of the powerline and to meet Eskoms legal, business and environmental obligations and to
minimize the risk to affected landowners and the general public.
No tree shall be allowed to grow to a height in excess of the horizontal distance of that tree from the
nearest conductor of any powerline or to grow in such a manner as to endanger the line should it fall
or be cut down.
4.1.2 For all practical purposes, tree cutting shall be confined to the building restriction area as
referred to in the servitude.
4.1.3 In terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act 85 of 1993), The supplier or
user of powerlines shall control vegetation in order to prevent it from encroaching on the minimum
safety clearances of the power lines and the owner of the vegetation shall permit such control.
4.1.4 The objective in clearing powerline servitudes of trees and bushes is to ensure the safe
mechanical and electrical operation of the line and to change from incompatible to compatible
vegetation.
4.1.5 The scope of works and/or requirements for bush clearing shall be determined in accordance
with the procedure set out in section 4.2.
4.1.6 Bush clearing for new powerline projects shall be carried out in accordance with the standards
set out in section 4.3.
4.1.7 Bush clearing for existing powerline servitudes shall be carried out in accordance with the
standards set out in section 4.4.
4.1.8 All bush clearing that is to take place within a forest plantation shall conform to the Commercial
Timber Growers Guideline: Maintenance and Management Agreement in Forest Plantation Areas and
Servitude Areas between Eskom and Commercial Timber Growers.
4.1.9 To promote the implementation of a three year programme for bush clearing (herbicide)
contracts.
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4.1.10 In terms of Eskoms servitude agreement, Eskom (and/or its appointed contractor) has the
right to enter and be upon the property at any time whether it to be to perform work on the property
itself, or to gain access to any adjacent property. However, Eskom will exercise due diligence in its
attempts to notify the owner of any intention to enter the property to cut trees and bush and endeavour
to obtain consent to the proposed work.
4.1.11 In order to assist with access, Eskom may erect such gates as may be necessary, in
consultation with the property owner. Under no circumstances shall access be gained by cutting or
dropping fences. All gates shall be left closed and the Eskom servitude gates shall be securely
locked at all times.
a) Various species of indigenous trees and bush on private land are protected by law (National Forest
Act, 1998 (Act 84 of 1998)) in terms of which it is necessary to obtain a permit from the relevant
authority in order to cut them.
c) Where there is any doubt as to whether a tree specie is protected or not, the Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism or the local Eskom environmental practitioner in the area shall
be consulted.
d) Indigenous trees and bushes that do not grow high enough to cause interference with the
powerline or cause a fire hazard, shall not be cut down or trimmed.
a) The use of herbicides shall be in compliance with the terms of The Fertilisers, Farm Feeds,
Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act 36 of 1947).
b) In terms of the above Act, only a registered pest control operator may apply herbicides on a
commercial basis. All application of herbicides shall be carried out under the supervision of a
registered pest control operator.
c) The Eskom Corporate Policy (ESKPBAAD4) and Standard (ESKASAAL0) on Herbicide use shall
be adhered to.
d) A daily register shall be kept of all relevant details of herbicide usage and such register maintained
by the relevant Eskom custodian.
4.1.14 General
a) Deep valleys and environmentally sensitive areas that do not allow vehicle access, or legally
protected areas, shall not be cleared of vegetation provided that the vegetation poses no threat to
the operation and reliability of the powerline. In the case of the construction of new powerlines a
one metre trace-line may be cut through the vegetation for stringing purposes only and no vehicle
access shall be allowed along the cleared trace-line.
b) Reasonable measures to prevent soil erosion shall be implemented at all times. If soil erosion
does take place within the servitude area as a direct result of an act or omission by the land
owner/user or Eskom, corrective measures, in consultation with the other party, shall be
implemented and the cost borne by the party at fault.
c) Rivers, watercourses and other water bodies shall be kept clear of felled trees, bush cuttings and
debris. Where possible, the integrity of riverbanks shall be maintained.
d) Aesthetic consideration shall be taken into account where powerlines cross major roads and rivers
or enter dense bush or woodland. An attempt will be made to ensure that all clearing will be
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performed in a manner so as to leave a screen of vegetation in the servitude on each side of the
road or river or at the start of the dense bush or woodland.
e) Trees, shrubs, grass, natural features and topsoil, that are not removed, shall be protected from
damage during operations. Scalping of the earth, or any necessary disturbance, shall be allowed
for access roads only.
f) The specification for re-vegetation of disturbed areas will be issued on an area specific basis by
Eskom.
g) It shall be ascertained from the property owner concerned whether he/she wishes to retain the cut
trees and bushes. If not, they shall be removed or disposed of or treated (chipping) in an
appropriate manner to the satisfaction of the owner. Burning shall not be permitted under any
circumstance.
h) Where it is desirable to cut trees beyond the servitude building restriction width, the consent of the
owner shall be obtained where no special agreement exists.
j) Any damage to property, including but not limited to, crops, stock, fencing and gates, shall be
compensated, repaired or replaced at the contractors expense, to the satisfaction of Eskom and
the landowner.
k) Where possible, vegetation clearance for servitudes shall be performed so that the servitude
boundaries are curved and undulating (narrow at tower positions and wide at the lowest point of
the conductor). See figure 1 below.
Tower
Centre Line
Tower
1) remain on all existing roads and tracks and within the servitude area and not deviate
therefrom;
2) keep Eskom gates locked and leave property owners gates closed or as agreed to in writing
between Eskom and the land owner;
7) not litter;
10) not disturb or remove stones/rock from the site (i.e. archaeological and heritage sites).
a) He or she knows and understands the dangers involved in clearing bush in or around powerlines
and the dangers of the spread of fire.
c) He or she understands that he/she must be authorized by the relevant Eskom representative, in
writing in terms of Eskoms ORHVS regulations. Eskom must declare him or her competent.
d) He or she is a competent person and is a registered pest control operator or shall ensure that any
chemical clearing shall be done under the supervision of a registered pest control operator.
e) He or she is able to and shall comply with, all legislation pertaining to the nature of the work to be
done and all things incidental thereto.
f) He or she shall appoint a land owner liaison officer, who shall personally contact all affected land
owners and users telephonically or in writing and obtain their permission before any trees or
bushes are cut, regardless of any previous arrangements or agreements. This shall not be
applicable in the case where Eskom has undertaken this requirement.
g) For all affected powerlines a list of property owners shall be supplied, by Eskom, to the
contractor to enable him to obtain the owners consent.
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8 8 8
Proposal to have Produce an Award contract or Monitor and
Powerline servitude Environmental undertake bush ensure
cleared of necessary Management clearing based on conformance
vegetation (existing & Programme (EMP) EMP to EMP
new servitudes)
An environmental management programme (EMP) shall be developed and implemented for each
bush clearing contract awarded or internal project undertaken. This shall be done for new powerline
construction projects as well as for existing powerline servitude maintenance. The following steps
shall be undertaken in preparing the EMP for the required bush clearing operation:
11 A register of the number of fires, flash-overs (as a result of vegetation) and interference by
vegetation that resulted in reduced quality from supply of the powerline in question
4.2.2 Identify and/or predict the bush clearing problems and actions to be taken to
solve them
Have all the problems associated with bush clearing on the powerline route been identified?
a) The existing or potential problem areas shall be indicated on a sketch plan (see annex B) based on
a site inspection of the powerline route (existing or proposed). For each issue identified, the action
to be taken shall be determined.
b) Action to be taken shall be based on the information obtained in 4.2.1 and shall conform to the
standard set out in sections 4.3 and 4.4 depending on whether the bush clearing is for a new
powerline construction project or maintenance of an existing powerline servitude respectively.
c) The actions to be taken shall be based on scientific and technical knowledge and experience. The
actions shall strike a balance between ensuring the protection of the environment, minimal damage
to landowners property and shall ensure the integrity of the powerlines quality of supply.
f) Once an assessment of the powerline route has been undertaken and the required actions are
determined, these shall be discussed with the affected landowners. Their concerns with regard to
the proposed actions shall be addressed.
Once the assessment of the powerline route has been undertaken it shall be integrated into the
project documentation (contract scope of work or work instruction).
a) For each action required, detailed specifications (see sketch plan in annex B) shall be drawn up
including:
2) the area to be cleared (the width to be cleared under powerline, access road, servitude width
and the area around structures).
3) the height to be cleared (for cutting of grass and reeds, access road, strip under powerline,
servitude width as well as trimming of trees).
5) removal of vegetation (requirements for the removal or chipping or cutting-up and stacking of
the cut vegetation).
6) timing (when bush clearing is to take place ie time of year, day and time if required).
7) notification (all land owners/users shall be notified and their consent obtained before entering
property to carry out bush clearing, and any other special requirements).
b) The actions in 4.2.3(a) constitute the EMP and it shall be integrated into the scope of work or work
description as part of tender documents and subsequent contracts or a work instruction when
undertaken by Eskom staff.
a) Once the EMP has been prepared and the contract scope of works, or work instruction determined,
a project manager shall be appointed, an enquiry shall be prepared and issued and a contract
awarded when external contractors are used, or a work instruction issued when the work is to be
done by Eskom staff, and the bush clearing implemented. All contracts for bush clearing shall be
in terms of Eskoms commercial requirements.
2) resolve disputes between land owners and those carrying out the bush clearing;
3) report all incidents in terms of the Groups standard for the reporting and investigation of
incidents; and
4) ensure that those carrying out the bush clearing understand the requirements of the contract/
work instruction.
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c) The project manager shall inform the relevant Customer Service Centre Manager, in the case of
Distribution, and the applicable Regional Manager in the case of Transmission, of the proposed
bush-clearing project. The following details shall be furnished to them: the project location, the
time period, the project manager and contractors names and contact details.
a) Monitoring: There shall be a monitoring programme in place to not only ensure conformance with
the EMP through the contract/work instruction specifications but also to monitor environmental
issues and impacts that have not been accounted for in the EMP, that are, or could result in
significant environmental impacts for which corrective action is required. Monitoring shall form part
of the contract or work instruction. The period and frequency must be stipulated. The project
manager shall ensure that the monitoring is carried out.
b) Audit: The requirement for an audit shall be stipulated in the contract or work instruction. It shall
be undertaken within a specified period after completion of the work but before the contract is
signed off. The audit shall be used to identify non-conformances for which corrective action shall
be taken. Corrective actions shall take place before the contract is signed off. The audit shall also
be used to identify findings that can be used to improve further EMPs for bush clearing. The
auditor shall be appointed by the project manager.
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Annex A
(normative)
No. Issue Grass Declared Invader Reeds Sugar cane Forest Other Indigenous Action to be Justification
weed plantation taken
1 Access road
2 Tower position
4 Under and 2 m
beyond outer phases
5 Within servitude/
wayleave area
6 River crossings
vegetation
7 Road crossings
vegetation
8 Land owner/user
requirements
9 General comments
(erosion, soil type)
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Annex B
(normative)
8m
Clear all vegetation within proposed / existing tower position and within a maximum
(depending on the tower type and voltage) radius of 5m around the position, including de-
stumping / cutting stumps to ground level, treating with a herbicide and re-compaction of soil.
Max. 5m Access
road strip Shaded areas
indicate clearing for
vehicular access
5m 5m
Foundation
locations
5m
5m Line Orientation
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Annex C
(normative)
* Refer to the powerline deed of servitude or other agreement for the exact dimension of the
powerline servitude width in question.
Appendix D.6
REFERENCE REV
ESKPBAAD4 1
TITLE: HERBICIDE MANAGEMENT DATE: JUNE 2002
PAGE 1 OF 5
REVISION DATE:
JUNE 2005
COMPILED BY FUNCTIONAL RESP. AUTHORISED BY
Contents
Page
1 Scope .................................................................................................................................. 2
2 References .......................................................................................................................... 2
3 Definitions and abbreviations ............................................................................................... 3
4 Policy .................................................................................................................................. 4
5 Strategies ............................................................................................................................ 4
EvR/MGM/Aug01
HERBICIDE MANAGEMENT REFERENCE REV
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Introduction
Vegetation on property owned by, or under the control of, Eskom must be managed in an
environmentally responsible and cost effective manner. Various methods can be employed to
achieve this end, ranging from the use of registered herbicides to mechanical means. As some of
these herbicides and their application hold inherent liabilities and risks, Eskom commits to the
following policy and strategies.
1 Scope
1.1 Purpose
To manage possible negative short, or long term, effects of herbicides on health and safety, desirable
vegetation, the soil, surface or ground water, and on the environment as a whole.
1.2 Applicability
2 Normative references
The following documents contain provisions that, through reference in the text, constitute
requirements of this policy. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid. All standards
and specifications are subject to revision, and parties to agreements based on this policy are
encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the documents listed
below. Information on currently valid national and international standards and specifications can be
obtained from the Information Centre and Eskom Documentation Centre at Megawatt Park.
The Fertilisers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No. 36 of
1947).
The Environmental Conservation Act (Act No. 73 of 1989).
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act No. 85 of 1993).
National Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act No. 101 of 1998).
The Fertiliser, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act (Act No. 15 of 1973).
The National Road Traffic Act (No 83 of 1996).
Note: Eskom Herbicide Web: Herbicide Knowledge base is available on the Eskom Intranet under Eskom Enterprises,
Technical Knowledge Repositories.
NEC (New Engineering Contract Document) with the related documentation will apply.
ESKASABG3: Rev 1, Standard for bush clearance and maintenance within overhead powerline
servitudes.
HERBICIDE MANAGEMENT REFERENCE REV
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Any other additional guidelines, standards and operating procedures, which will support the Herbicide
Management policy.
3.1 Definitions
3.1.1 course certificate: A certificate given to the trainee after undergoing adequate/appropriate
herbicide training, as provided by a registered pest control operator.
3.1.2 herbicide: A chemical substance or cultured biological organism used to control, suppress or
kill plants, or severely interrupt their normal growth processes.
3.1.3 pest control operator: means a person who as, or in the course of, his trade or occupation
administers agricultural remedies for the purposes for which they are intended;
Section 7 (2) (a) No person shall, for reward or in the course of any industry, trade or business-
(i) use, or recommend the use of, any agricultural remedy or stock remedy for a purpose, or in a
manner, other than that specified on the label on a container thereof, or described on such
container,
(ii) use any agricultural remedy unless he is a pest control operator registered in terms of this Act, or
otherwise than in the presence and under the supervision of a pest control operator, so registered.
(The Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act 36 of
1947) (as amended))
3.1.4 weed: means any kind of plant that has been declared a weed, and includes the seed of such
plant, and any vegetative part of such plant that reproduces itself asexually (Conservation of
Agricultural Resources Act, No 43 of 1983)
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3.2 Abbreviations
4 Policy
The use of herbicides for the management of vegetation on Eskom owned or controlled property shall
be managed in an environmentally responsible manner, in order to manage possible negative short or
long term effects on health and safety, desirable vegetation, the soil, surface or ground water and on
the environment as a whole. Only registered herbicides shall be used by trained applicators, adhering
to label specifications.
5 Strategies
A herbicide management plan, in accordance with ESKASAAL0: The safe use of pesticides and
herbicides, shall be available and implemented at all sites where these products are required.
All herbicides shall be managed in accordance with SABS ISO 14001 with appropriate
documentation and records.
All contractors appointed to apply herbicides, shall be registered as pest control operators in terms
of the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act (Act 36 of 1947),
as amended, and shall tender according to the NEC (New Engineering Contract Document) for
Small Works and associated documentation.
NOTE All contractors must have an insurance policy against environmental damage.
Herbicide application shall be done under the direction of a qualified pest control operator
registered under the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act (Act
No 36 of 1947), or by suitably trained personnel in possession of an appropriate course certificate.
(Refer to 3.3 for the definitions as per the Act).
Herbicide application shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's label specifications, and the
necessary precautions shall be taken at all times.
Herbicide selection and purchasing shall be done according to Eskoms procurement process in
conjunction with a suitably qualified person:
When selecting a herbicide the risks to the environment and human health shall be
evaluated and the safest product that will achieve the desired result, shall be utilised.
Other means shall also be considered to replace herbicides, such as mechanical methods,
fire etc., if these methods would be more appropriate in the circumstances.
Storage of pesticides & herbicides shall be in accordance with ESKASAAL0, The safe use of
Pesticides and Herbicides, in such a manner that only authorised personnel have access to the
products.
Transportation and disposal of all pesticides, herbicides and containers shall be done in
accordance with ESKASAAL0: The safe use of Pesticides and Herbicides.
HERBICIDE MANAGEMENT REFERENCE REV
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Herbicide applicators shall wear, at all times, appropriate protective clothing as specified by the
International Group of National Associations of Manufacturers of Agrochemical Products (GIFAP)
in it's brochure "Guidelines for personal protection when using pesticides in hot climates", and in
accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act No. 85 of 1993).
All incidents involving herbicides shall be reported according to Corporate and Group reporting
procedures, in accordance with SABS ISO 14001.
All Eskom BUs shall be responsible and accountable for the implementation of this policy.
All herbicide and related work shall be managed in accordance with all relevant legislation,
appropriate legal agreements and Eskom policies, procedures, directives, standards and
guidelines.
Functional Groups shall provide advice and support to the line Groups when requested.
Appendix D.7
REFERENCE REV
ESKASAAL0 1
TITLE: THE SAFE USE OF PESTICIDES AND DATE: JUNE 2002
AND HERBICIDES PAGE 1 OF 18
REVISION DATE:
JUNE 2005
COMPILED BY FUNCTIONAL RESP. AUTHORISED BY
Contents
Page
Introduction.............................................................................................................................. 3
1 Scope ..................................................................................................................................
3
2 Normative references........................................................................................................... 3
3 Definitions and abbreviations ............................................................................................... 4
4 Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 5
4.1 Registration and competency of pest control operators ..................................................... 5
4.2 Selection of pesticides and herbicides............................................................................... 7
4.3 Record keeping of the availability, use and application of agricultural remedies ................ 7
4.4 Condition and labelling of containers................................................................................. 7
4.5 General principles ............................................................................................................. 8
4.6 Medical Surveillance and Biological Monitoring................................................................. 8
4.7 Safety and health measures.............................................................................................. 8
4.8 Training............................................................................................................................. 9
4.9 Mixing ............................................................................................................................... 9
4.10 Application ...................................................................................................................... 9
4.11 Public health measures ................................................................................................... 10
4.12 Treatment of spillages..................................................................................................... 10
4.13 Hygiene (Refer to annex B)............................................................................................. 10
4.14 Medical and first-aid facilities .......................................................................................... 10
Annexes
A Checklist for the handling, storage, use and disposal of pesticides and herbicides............... 12
B Checklist for evaluation ....................................................................................................... 16
C Policy guides....................................................................................................................... 17
THE SAFE USE OF PESTICIDES REFERENCE REV
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Introduction
The health and safety of workers and members of the public, and protection of the environment
against pollution are important to Eskom. Pesticides and herbicides play a major role in agricultural
practice, however, they are potentially hazardous to human and animal life if not used safely.
Pesticides and herbicides can also become environmental pollutants if not properly managed and
used.
Pesticides and herbicides are applied to areas and vegetation by registered and competent pest
control operators under strictly controlled conditions.
workers and members of the public shall be protected against possible exposure to pesticides and
herbicides which could adversely affect their health, safety and well-being;
the natural environment shall be protected against pollution caused by pesticides and herbicides;
employees shall be conversant with health, safety and other risks associated with pesticides and
herbicides; and
pesticides and herbicides should only be used and applied under strictly controlled conditions, by
competent personnel, where other actions have failed to produce the required results.
This standard shall be used in conjunction with ESKPBAAD4, Herbicide Management policy.
1 Scope
1.1 Purpose
To provide the minimum health, safety and environmental requirements during the procurement,
transport, storage, use and disposal of pesticides and herbicides.
1.2 Applicability
This standard is applicable throughout Eskom, Eskom Enterprises and subsidiaries, as well as to all
employees and contractors.
2 Normative references
The documents listed below contain provisions that, through reference in the text, constitute
requirements of this standard. At the time of publication the editions indicated were valid. All
standards are subject to revision and parties to agreements based on this standard are encouraged to
investigate the possibility of applying the most recent revisions of the documents listed below.
Information on currently valid national and international standards may be obtained from the
Information Centre and Eskom Documentation Centre at Megawatt Park.
3.1 Definitions
3.1.1 agricultural remedy: Any chemical substance or biological remedy, or any combination or
mixture of any substance or remedy, intended or offered to be used for the destruction, control,
repelling, attraction or prevention of any undesired microbe, algae, nematode, fungus, insect, plant,
vertebrate, invertebrate or any part thereof.
3.1.2 pest control operator: means a person who as, or in the course of, his trade or occupation
administers agricultural remedies for the purposes for which they are intended;
Section 7 (2)(a) No person shall for reward, or in the course of any industry, trade or business-
(i) use, or recommend the use of, any agricultural remedy or stock remedy for a purpose, or in a
manner other than that specified on the label on a container thereof, or described on such
container,
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(ii) use any agricultural remedy unless he is a pest control operator registered in terms of this Act,
or otherwise than in the presence and under the supervision of, a pest control operator so
registered.
(The Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act 36 of
1947) (as amended))
3.1.3 pesticides: A chemical substance (which may or may not be mixed with other substances),
used for the destruction of an organism detrimental to man or to his interest. The word clearly has a
very wide meaning and includes a number of other terms, (e.g. insecticides, fungicides, herbicides,
rodenticides, bactericides, miticides, nematocides, molluscicides) which indicate the organism or
pests a particular chemical or class of chemicals is designed to kill. Since different types of chemical
agents are used for these general classes, it is usually advisable to indicate the particular category of
pesticide.
3.1.4 herbicide: A chemical substance or cultured biological organism used to kill or suppress the
growth of plants.
3.1.5 toxicity: Toxicity is expressed by the LD 50 value; this a statistical estimate of the number of
mg of the chemical per kg of body weight, required to kill 50 % of a population of test animals. The
dose may be administered by a number of routes, usually orally or dermally, and the rat is the
standard test animal. Oral or dermal LD50 values are used according to which route has the lower
value for a specific chemical.
3.2 Abbreviations
4 Requirements
All contractors appointed to apply pesticides and herbicides shall be registered in terms of the
Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act (Act 36 of 1947), as
amended.
Initial training shall be supplemented by regular further training and refresher courses, as determined
by the responsible line manager.
In the case of over-exposure to herbicides, the victim shall immediately be removed from the scene
and taken to fresh air, thoroughly washed and his clothing changed. This shall be done in accordance
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with safety procedures. Test facilities and qualified medical care shall be provided. Treatment is
symptomatic and shall be carried out in hospital.
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Purchasing of pesticides, herbicides and other agricultural remedies for use in Eskom, and the
selection of such remedies for a particular application, shall be done by suitably qualified persons.
Special emphasis shall be placed on:
all products shall be accompanied by a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS);
the prevention of the exposure of persons, the public, animals, foodstuffs and adjacent land to
such chemicals; and
the prevention of the pollution of natural resources, ground and water by such remedies.
A register of all agricultural remedies in use, and in stock, shall be kept and maintained on site, as
well as the relevant material safety data sheets. The material safety data sheets shall be readily
available at strategic points, for example, medical and first aid points, stores, fire station, etc.
A record shall be kept of the use of pesticides and herbicides as specified in the Fertilizers, Farm
Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act and ISO 14001. This includes what product,
used by, when, for what purpose, amount used, particulars of personal protective equipment used,
and incidents of poisoning or spillage.
Containers containing agricultural remedies are subject to climatic conditions and rough handling
methods which may cause them to leak, break or render instructions illegible, causing potentially
hazardous conditions. Supervisors, pest control operators and storekeepers, shall ensure that stocks
are regularly inspected for leaks and damaged containers. All damaged or empty containers shall be
removed immediately and disposed of in accordance with the label requirements and MSDSs. No
unlabelled containers shall be allowed.
Labelling provides information on the hazardous nature of the pesticide or herbicide, as well as
information regarding the identification and correct use of the pesticide or herbicide in the container.
Apart from the trade name, the ingredients list provides a breakdown of the substances contained in
the chemical. This enables the user to identify the active ingredients and toxic substances.
The instructions on the label regarding use of the product are of major importance to the user. Many
an accident or loss / damage incident has occurred due to neglect on the part of the user, to either
read instructions, or apply a product as directed. The label also contains a hazard warning with signs
and inscriptions, related to pesticides or herbicides (see Normative references).
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While the general principles for the use of pesticides and herbicides remain the same for all
compounds, the stringency with which they shall be applied depends on the toxicity of the particular
chemical. The following points shall be taken into account:
Poisons enter the body through the mouth (ingestion), the lungs (inhalation), the intact skin
(percutaneous absorption), or wounds in the skin (inoculation). The inhalation hazard is determined
by the physical form and solubility of the chemical. The possibility and degree of percutaneous
absorption varies with the chemical, but some chemicals also exert a direct action on the skin,
causing dermatitis. Pesticides and herbicides are applied in many different forms: as solids, by
spraying in dilute or concentrated form, as dusts (fine or granulated), and as fogs and gases. The
method of application has a direct bearing on the likelihood of absorption.
Contamination through the skin is as lethal as ingestion or inhalation, and utmost care shall be taken
to prevent unnecessary contact with the skin. For practical purposes, dermal or percutaneous
absorption of a chemical is more important than oral absorption in occupational situations.
Pest control operators and other operational personnel using, or exposed to, agricultural remedies
shall undergo regular medical surveillance, as prescribed by Eskoms Chief Medical Officer. Medical
surveillance and biological monitoring shall be conducted at intervals determined by the exposed
workers occupational risk exposure profile, and as prescribed in the Hazardous Chemical Regulations
of the Occupational Health & Safety Act. All pest control operators and other persons potentially
exposed to hazardous chemicals, shall undergo a pre-placement assessment
Line management (occupational hygienist) shall complete the employee's job specification which shall
qualify, and quantify, all chemical hazards to which workers and others may be exposed, and
determine the personal exposure concentrations in relation to the OELs.
Adverse effects may be avoided by following the instructions provided on the labels of pesticides and
herbicides. The general toxicity, irritation and sensitisation potentials, and the mode of use,
determine the protection necessary in each case. Skin contamination is an ever present danger,
especially where heat and humidity preclude the use of protective clothing. Irritation of the skin and
mucous membranes may result from spillings of various formulations. Extended contact is hazardous
when the highest recommended application rates of working dilution are used in summer, or in
greenhouses. The following points are important:
4.7.1 Availability
The toxicity of many pesticides/herbicides is such that their indiscriminate use by the general
public/unauthorised Eskom personnel, is certain to result in many people being affected, often fatally.
It is essential that access by the public to all formulations/products shall be restricted (behind lock and
key).
4.7.2 Transportation
Pesticides and herbicides of any degree of toxicity shall be transported in accordance with national
legislation and in containers which are clearly labelled, leak-proof and not easily damaged. They shall
not be transported beside or above any type of food, and all spillages shall be reported immediately.
Any foodstuff transported in the same compartment as a pesticide/ herbicide, might be contaminated.
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4.7.3 Labelling
The requirements regarding the labelling of pesticides and herbicides are laid down in legislation and
strictly applied to both imported, and locally produced chemicals. Any pesticide or herbicide shall only
be used in accordance with the instructions on the original label. (See guidelines for the RSA
classification code of agricultural and stock remedies and associated labelling practices).
4.8 Training
All workers using pesticide and herbicide formulations shall be trained by a registered PCO. Training
programmes shall cover all aspects of pesticide and herbicide management.
4.9 Mixing
This is possibly the most hazardous phase of the use of pesticides and herbicides, since the employee
is exposed to the concentrate. In any particular situation, only competent trained personnel shall be
responsible for mixing. They shall be thoroughly conversant with the hazards, and provided with the
proper facilities, for dealing with accidental contamination.
4.10 Application
Personal protective equipment is compulsory. The choice of particular items of equipment will
depend on the hazardous nature of the pesticide/herbicide and the physical form in which it is being
handled. Any consideration of protective equipment shall include not only the provision, but also
adequate cleansing, maintenance and replacement, of the equipment. Where climatic conditions
preclude the use of some types of protective equipment, three other principles of protection can be
applied, i.e. protection by distance, protection by time, protection by change of working method.
Protection by distance: involves modifications of the equipment used for applications, so that the
person is as far away as possible from the pesticide and herbicide itself, bearing in mind the likely
routes of absorption of a specific compound.
Protection by time: involves limitation of hours of work. The suitability of this method depends on
whether the pesticide and herbicide is readily excreted, or whether it is cumulative.
Pesticides and herbicides can also be applied from the air as liquids, dusts or granules. Liquids may
be sprayed from very low altitudes, frequently as fine droplets of concentrated formulations. Drift is a
problem particularly with liquids and dusts. Aerial application is an economical way of treating large
tracts of land, but entails special hazards to pilots and to workers on the ground.
Use up left-over spray mix, or tank rinsing fluid, by lightly spraying areas already sprayed. Do not
empty tanks in one spot. Pesticides and herbicides shall not be transferred to other containers,
except for application purposes.
Return all empty pesticide or herbicide containers to the stores, or the supplier. Where it is not
possible or economically feasible to return the containers, they shall be rendered useless by cutting
the container, or punching holes in it. Returned containers and those rendered useless, shall be
recorded in the Herbicide Register. Containers rendered useless shall be kept on site, or disposed of
in accordance with the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act.
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When pesticides and herbicides are used, every reasonable effort shall be made to avoid the
contamination of water supplies. This not only concerns the actual application (when there may be
immediate contamination), but shall also include the consideration of remote contamination by run-off
through rainfall on recently treated areas.
While pesticides and herbicides in natural watercourses may be diluted to such a degree that the
contaminated water may not be hazardous in itself, the effect on fish, water, plants used as food and
grown in the watercourses, and on wild life as a whole, as a result of bioaccumulation, shall not be
overlooked.
Spillages of pesticides and herbicides, at any stage of their storage or handling, shall be treated with
great care. All spills shall be managed and re-habilitated in accordance with the chemical label and
the associated instructions, as well as in line with group specific incident investigation
procedures/processes. Spills should be reported in line with group reporting requirements.
Where a pesticide or herbicide is of moderate or higher hazard and can be readily absorbed through
the skin, special precautions are necessary. In some situations, where workers might become
accidentally contaminated with large quantities of concentrate, a shower or bath shall be provided in
addition to the usual washing facilities. Special arrangements for cleaning clothing and overalls are
necessary. They shall not be left for the worker to wash at home. These facilities shall also be
available when contractors do contract work for Eskom.
Contractors are responsible for providing personal protection equipment to all employees. Protective
clothing shall be provided to all Eskom operators by the business unit and:
All exposed persons shall wash/shower following application of hazardous chemical substances
All clothing shall be changed after each shift, as appropriate, and retained for washing by the
employee
Since pesticides and herbicides are often applied outdoors, depending on the chemical used, special
care shall be taken to provide washing facilities at the workplace, even though this may be in remote
areas. Workers shall be instructed to use these, rather than wash themselves in canals and rivers,
the water from which may be subsequently used for other purposes. The washing water provided
shall be disposed of with care. Smoking, eating and drinking before washing shall be prohibited when
any pesticide or herbicide is being handled or used.
Medical and first aid needs to align with label specifications and MSDSs for specific substances used.
If there is an antidote for a specific pesticide or herbicide which can be readily used as a first-aid
measure, it shall be readily available to workers, who shall be instructed in the method of its
application. The nature of the chemical used shall be well defined, so that the doctors can obtain
specific antidotes where these are applicable, and be on the look-out for cases of poisoning.
Information sheets on the medical management of exposed workers shall be compiled for each type
of chemical used, and made available to health care service providers who may be consulted in the
event of over-exposure.
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4.15.1 Location
When choosing a site for a new store, avoid close proximity to offices, housing, schools, hospitals,
shopping areas, kitchens, manufacturing or storage premises, or other populated areas. Preference
shall be given to isolated locations. Avoid areas prone to flooding, or areas used for water catchment.
In the case of existing stores, an assessment shall be made, based on compliance with the
requirements of this standard, whether continued use of the store can be justified. All new stores shall
only be constructed once an appropriate environment impact assessment has been undertaken.
The site shall provide suitable access for the loading and unloading of delivery vehicles. Ideally the
building should stand alone, with a space of at least 10 m between it and surrounding property.
4.15.3 Drainage
The building shall be on a site that minimizes the risk of contaminated water reaching water sources,
ground water reserves, or public drainage systems.
4.15.4 Buildings
Rooms used for storage shall be soundly constructed, and be equipped with automatic extraction fans
and secure locks. Pesticides and herbicides shall be stored on shelves or pallets.
4.15.5 Lighting
Lighting levels shall allow for the routine inspection of stored products, and provide sufficient light for
easy reading of product labels.
Artificial lighting shall be installed above aisleways and at least 1 m above the topmost stored
product, to prevent damage during mechanical handling operations.
4.15.6 Ventilation
The storeroom shall be well ventilated. Natural ventilation shall be provided by vents located in the
upper and lower walls and in the roof. The lower vent shall be above bund level. All vents shall be
designed or protected, to prevent entry by any animal life. Ensure good air circulation in storerooms
and ensure the installation of automatic extractor fans.
4.15.7 Security
Knowledge of product hazards is an essential pre-requisite for the safe storing of all chemicals.
During the storage of pesticides and herbicides, hazards are likely to be encountered with products
which are flammable, toxic, corrosive, reactive, or which may be oxidizing agents. Floors shall be
kept clear and where re-packing is done in storage rooms, any spillages shall be cleaned up carefully
according to 4.12. All pesticides and herbicides shall be clearly identified.
Chemical compounds that could interact with other compounds, shall be stored seperately. Some
compounds react with other chemicals or with air, and this shall be taken into account when planning
storage facilities. Examples of this reaction are, cyanide salts which react with acids to produce
hydrogen cyanide gas, and dichlorvos which vaporizes on contact with air.
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These are substances which can produce flammable vapour/air mixtures, and are therefore potential
sources of fire or explosion. Flammable substances shall be clearly marked.
Classification of flammable liquids is determined by their flash point. This is the lowest temperature
at which the substance will form a flammable vapour/air mixture. Liquids with a flash point of 55 C
and below, are considered flammable. Flammable liquids shall be clearly marked.
These are readily ignitable solids or materials that cause fast propagation of a fire once ignited.
Flammable solids shall be clearly marked.
These materials may be harmful or dangerous to man by way of ingestion, inhalation or skin
absorption. Skin contact is the most common route by which poisoning can occur. Many chemicals
can readily pass through intact skin into the body. Inhalation of dust and vapours can produce a
particularly fast reaction due to the ease with which such contaminants can enter the bloodstream
through the lungs. Ingestion is perhaps the least common cause of accidental poisoning, and is
probably caused by eating, drinking and smoking without having first washed the hands. Toxic
pesticides and herbicides shall be clearly marked.
Such substances will attack skin or materials such as wood or metal, therefore leakage can corrode
other packages and structures. Corrosive substances shall be clearly marked.
Oxidizing agents will increase the rate at which a fire can develop. They may also react violently with
other stored materials, and can be the cause of spontaneous ignition. Oxidising agents shall be
clearly marked.
Within the range of common pesticides and herbicides, some dithiocarbamates are known to react
adversely with moisture to produce carbon disulfide, a toxic and extremely flammable gas.
Spontaneous ignition of this group of chemicals is also known to occur. Such chemicals shall be
clearly marked.
Good standards of hygiene shall be maintained, and floors and shelves shall be regularly and
systematically cleaned, preferably using an industrial vacuum cleaner. Washing facilities for
employees shall be provided and, where food and drinks are consumed on the premises, a separate
room shall be set aside for this purpose. Workers shall be instructed to wash their hands before
eating, drinking or smoking.
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Annex A
(normative)
Checklist for the handling, storage, use and disposal of pesticides and
herbicides
Question Yes No Comments
Location and buildings
Does the store satisfy the requirements
relating to the location? If NO, in what
respects does it fail?
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
Does the store satisfy the stipulations for site
access?
Does the store fulfil requirements regarding:
construction materials;
floor surface;
internal fire break walls;
roof covering and ventilation;
head and smoke release;
drainage; and
local fire regulations?
If NO, in what respects does it fail?
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
Is the door sill or ramp at least 100 mm high?
What additional system for the containment of
fire-fighting water exists?
none;
underground retention pit;
external containment wall; and
other?
Describe: ................................................
...............................................................
...............................................................
What is the overall capacity of containment?
Is this sufficient to contain the expected
volume of fire-fighting water?
Is the store well ventilated?
Are the pesticides and herbicides in-store
appropriate for their intended use?
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Annex A
(continued)
Annex A
(continued)
Annex A
(concluded)
Annex B
(normative)
2 Personal protective
equipment
provided?
used?
Used correctly?
9 Personal hygiene of
pesticide and herbicide users?
NOTES
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Annex C
(normative)
Policy guides
C1 Liability
During the chemical control of bush-invader plants or weeds, the SBU is responsible in the following
three instances:
legal obligation;
Eskom policy and guides; and
moral obligation towards land owners and the public.
The following Acts directly or indirectly, regulate the selling, safety and use of weed-killers:
Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act (Act No. 36 of 1947).
Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act No. 54 of 1972).
Hazardous Substances Act (Act No. 15 of 1973).
Environment Conservation Act (Act No. 73 of 1989).
Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act No. 43 of 1983).
Forest Act (Act No. 122 of 1984).
Water Act (Act No. 54 of 1956).
Mountain Catchment Areas Act (Act No. 63 of 1970).
National Parks Act (Act No. 57 of 1976)/
Sea Fisheries Act (Act No. 58 of 1973).
OHS Act (Act 85 of 1993).
Provincial Ordinances.
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Annex C
(concluded)
Legal documents.
Every Eskom employee has a moral obligation to the environment, his fellow citizens and all future
generations to protect and conserve the environment.
He is also morally obliged to protect his employer, Eskom, against negative publicity, and the danger
and risk of financial losses.
Eskom maintains a right-to-know policy. It is therefore every supervisors responsibility to keep his
sub-ordinates fully informed on the following:
the risk attached to the substances concerned, and the handling of these substances.
Appendix D.8
Content
Page
1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................ 3
2. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW AND INTRODUCTION TO VEGETATION MANAGEMENT .......... 4
3. PURPOSE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN. (EMP) ................................. 4
4. PROBLEMS TO POWER LINES CAUSED BY VEGETATION................................................. 4
5. INTEGRATED VEGETATION MANAGEMENT (I.V.M.)............................................................ 6
6. BIOMES, PLANT SPECIES AND R.O.W. MANAGEMENT ...................................................... 8
7. ATMOSPHERIC AND CLIMATIC CONDITIONS AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT.........10
8. VELD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES .......................................................................................12
9. LAWS AND POLICIES.............................................................................................................13
10. SUGGESTED VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PRACTICES..................................................14
11. COMMERCIAL FORESTS.......................................................................................................19
12. SUGAR CANE .........................................................................................................................19
13. KAROO BIOME........................................................................................................................19
14. FYNBOS...................................................................................................................................20
15. INDIGENOUS FORESTS. .......................................................................................................20
16. FIRE PROTECTION AND FIRE FIGHTING ASSOCIATIONS ................................................20
Note: Concerns queries and comments on this document should be referred to the compiler
When downloaded from Transmission database, this document is uncontrolled, responsibility lies with
the user to ensure that it is the authorised version
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1. INTRODUCTION
The interaction of vegetation and power lines is complex. Plants are responsible for a high
percentage of line faults including the provision of fuel for fires under power lines. The aspect
of line faults originating from fires have not previously been documented and quantified.
The main reasons for managing the vegetation under power lines are:
Ensuring safe clearances under and around power lines.
Ensuring adequate access for inspection, maintenance and repair activities.
Reduction of fuels for fires under power lines that cause flashovers.
The purpose of this document is to provide generic guidelines for the management of
vegetation in Transmissions servitudes in a sustainable manner that will also reduce risk of
line faults resulting from vegetation.
This document does not perscribe specifics, but rather provides general guidelines that
should be applied according to specific circumstances and each case should be managed by
way of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
No Yes
Yes No
Choose veg.
Obtain permit to group, p8
cut protected
plants
Develop
management
Implement vegetation plan, p14
management
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Finch and Shupe [4] state that during 1951 ammate herbicides (soluble crystals for foliar
application) were first introduced.
The publishing of Rachel Carsons book The Silent Spring in 1962 is credited with spawning
the global environmental movement.
During 1972 legislation was introduced in the U.S.A. requiring environmental assessments.
A number of aspects such as the type, diversity and quantity of vegetation, burning regimes,
the soils, hydrology, rainfall, the impact on wildlife and land use practices influence the
vegetation management plan for a particular stretch of power line. These aspects will vary
from one area to the other and a successful management plan will have to take these
aspects into account. Because of highly variable local conditions, this document can only
indicate broad principles and experts will have to be employed to compile site-specific
Environmental Management Plan (E.M.P.) applicable to a particular stretch of line.
The first problem associated with vegetation in the R.O.W. is that of plants growing into the
safe clearance distance and causing flashovers [3].
In South Africa the Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) stipulates the
minimum clearances to be adhered to for a range of voltages.
The second problem associated with vegetation is that large trees which might fall on power
lines could a short-circuit [3]. This type of problem only occurs on transmission power lines
that run close to large trees associated with plantations.
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4.3. Fires
According to some utilities in Europe and America, they do not experience fire as a major
high frequency cause of power line faults, as is the case in South Africa.
Forest fires of a disastrous magnitude are sometimes reported in America, Australia and in
South Africa. These fires cause enormous damage, but occur infrequently. As a result they
are not normally considered a major threat to power supply.
Figure 1 Extensive forest fires in Colorado U.S.A. during 2002 (photo Tony Martinez)
Some utilities in South America also experience problems with fires resulting from agricultural
activities such as the harvesting of sugar cane, the burning of fire breaks or veld
management practices using fire.
In South Africa, veld fires are a normal sight during winter due to low fire management skills,
negligence and arson.
Three main factors influence the occurrence and severity of these fires are:
The cause of ignition.
The type, quantity and condition of the available fuel.
Atmospheric conditions.
Some of the causes of ignition can be addressed by training and awareness programmes.
Others, such as arson cannot. Preventing ignition and managing fires when they do occur
can be addressed by measures proposed by the Veld and Forest Fire Act (Act 101 of 1998).
Vegetation management is aimed not only at managing the growth of plants that compromise
safe clearances, but also at managing the fuel for fires.
Certain vegetation types such as large shrubs and trees may impede access to the power
line. In the case of shrubs such as Sickle bush (Dichrostachys cinerea) are well known for
their ability to cause punctures. In these cases the vegetation has to be managed to ensure
adequate access.
I.V.M. is a methodology that found its roots in Integrated Pest Management (I.P.M) and
Integrated Weed Management (I.W.M). I.P.M was associated mainly with insects whilst
I.W.M. dealt with weeds [3](p.128).
Manual methods. These methods are labour intensive but have the advantage of being
selective.
Mechanical methods. These methods include the use of large machinery for the cutting
and mulching of plant material. Whilst these machines are effective, especially in mono
cultures of invasive aliens access to certain parts of the R.O.W. may prove problematic.
fire on vegetation in the particular biome under consideration. This aspect will be discussed
later in the document.
Figure 3 Prescribed burns at night with a low F.D.I. reduces the risk of runaway fires as well
as the occurrence of flashovers.
Different plant species pose different threats and require different treatments. For the
purpose of this document, vegetation have been grouped into the following groups and
management recommendations are made for each group:
Bush encroachment is defined as the expansion of woody plants into vegetation previously
dominated by non-woody plants or where woody and non-woody plants were co-dominant,
resulting in reduced carrying capacity for domestic livestock (grazers). The phenomenon is
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widespread in southern Africa and is generally attributed to the removal of mega herbivores,
the alteration of fire regimes, the reduced use of trees, overgrazing or a combination of these
factors [10](p591). An example of this is the densification of Sickle bush (Dichrostachys
cinerea) in the savanna biome. The management of plants that pose a fire risk will be
referred to as fuel management.
Figure 4. A map of the biomes of South Africa (Courtesy of the Dept. of Environment and
Tourism)
Plant species correlate closely with soils. Whilst plants pose a fire risk, they also stabilize
soils and any plant management strategy should consider the effect on soils. Topographical
features such as slopes not only add to the erosion risk, but have also been shown to add to
the fire risk through the improved ventilation of the fire on sloped areas.
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Plant production is clearly influenced by weather. Plant production is high, especially if good
rains are followed by enough sunshine to promote photosynthesis. The occurrence of fires is
influenced by the availability of sufficient fuel and they rarely occur in the arid regions of the
west and the interior of South Africa or in the palatable grasslands or the arid savanna when
the off-take by herbivores leaves nothing to burn [9](p421).
Medium term weather forecasts can be used in the general prediction of plant production and
the strategies to manage it. As is the case with many aspects of vegetation management, the
reader is advised to consult a weather expert on this subject.
Figure 5. Example of a rainfall anomaly chart indicating predicted rainfall (Map courtesy of
Sakkie Nigrini NETFORCAST)
The ignition of fires, fire behaviour and flame lengths are influenced in a major way by
weather. In terms of the Mc-Arthur fire danger model used in South Africa, relative humidity,
air temperature and wind speed are the main factors that are used to calculate the Fire
Danger Index (F.D.I.) for a specific day (refer to the FDI page in Appendix F). Corrections are
also applied for fuel moisture.
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South Africa has both summer and winter rainfall areas. The Western Cape has a
Mediterranean climate with winter rainfall and experiences dry windy conditions with a high
fire danger [14] during the Austral summer months of December to March. The northern
interior experiences fire weather during the winter months of April to September [15]. During
these winter months, the subcontinent experiences frontal weather systems associated with
pre-frontal Berg wind conditions [1](p 202).
During these hot, dry and windy conditions, plant material becomes very dry and ignition of
fuel is aided. Fanned by the high winds, fires spread rapidly and are extremely difficult to
control. The windy conditions also ventilate fires and with the high availability of oxygen, hot
fires with long flame lengths occur. These conditions coupled with fire whirls lead to
flashovers of transmission power lines. Even power lines with large clearances such as the
765kV lines suffer flashovers under these extreme conditions [11,12,13].
Figure 6 Example of a weather chart showing cold fronts with the associated inland hot
conditions under the influence of a high pressure system, with Northerly to Westerly winds
and associated fire risk (Map courtesy of Sakkie Nigrini NETFORCAST).
Whilst it is not possible to control the weather aspect of fire risk, the use of fire breaks on the
windward (NW to W) side of servitudes will reduce the intensity and heat of a fire in close
proximity to conductors. In the case of the Cape Peninsula, the south-eastern side of the
servitude must be protected. Experience has shown that when high winds are present, a
distance of 100 m outside the servitude must be clear, especially of alien invaders such as
Acacia cyclops (Rooikrans) and A. saligna (Port Jackson Willow).
Diligent lookout during times of high fire danger is also an important way in which this aspect
of fire management can be addressed. This is further discussed in this document.
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The recommended veld management activities must be carried out, and should fit within a
wide range of land use practices and the habits of the landowner or occupiers.
On one side of the spectrum, areas are managed as conservation areas. Under these
conditions comprehensive veld management practices are employed that include burning
programs as well as control of the herbivores and their effect on the vegetation. Under these
conditions Eskoms management of the servitude will have to integrate with that of the
landowner. In certain cases, the servitude might be used by the landowner as a firebreak as
part of the fire prevention measures.
Figure 7. Example of a power line servitude used as a fire break at Thaba Tholo near
Thabazimbi.
At the other side of the spectrum, areas exist that are overgrazed and suffer from extensive
erosion. Here fire risks would be low but risks associated with erosion will be high and
management strategies should attempt to stimulate plant growth where possible.
The introduction of appropriate grass species may not only contribute towards reducing the
risk of erosion, but will also compete with any resprouting shrubs. Cognizance will however
have to be taken of the landowners grazing practices as domestic animals will favour the
cleared areas and over grazing and consequential erosion may be experienced.
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Figure 8. Example of the dangers of erosion to power lines (photo Jorge Correia).
The Government has also committed itself to the eradication of alien invasive plant species in
terms of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act 43 of 1983). The well-known
Work-for-Water programme bears testament to the commitment of the government towards
eradicating these plants.
The use of fires as a veld management tool by landowners and the appropriate skills in this
regard, varies across the country. Eskom has in the past, and must in the future, engage
landowners in the safe use of fires, especially in close proximity to power lines.
A number of laws govern Eskoms actions with specific regard to servitude management
practices. These range from the imperative of the protection of certain rare and endangered
plant species to the removal of alien invasive species. Issues such as the sustained use of
resources, measuring Eskoms impact, soil erosion, the use of chemical substances, are all
in one way or another controlled by legislation or policy.
Safety clearances for power lines are stipulated by the OHS Act and these dimensions are
considerably less than those required to safeguard against fire threats.
The newly promulgated Veld and Fire Act proposes to regulate fire related matters between
landowners and will supersede previous fire legislation (refer to
http://www.dwaf.gov.za/Forestry/Fireawareness/eng.pdf).
More information on the Veld and Fire Act can be obtained from an interpretative document
issued by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. It can be viewed at
http://intranet.eskom.co.za/enviroweb/
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The use of an EMP for the management on a servitude is prescribed and controlled in terms
of legislation, Eskom Policies as well as Eskoms commitment in becoming SABS ISO 14001
compliant.
All vegetation management activities should be carried out in terms of an EMP as prescribed
by 4.2 of ESKASABG3 (STANDARD FOR BUSH CLEARANCE AND MAINTENANCE
WITHIN OVERHEAD POWERLINE SERVITUDES) and ESKPVAAZ1 (ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (EMP) PROCEDURE). These documents can be viewed at
http://intranet.eskom.co.za/enviroweb/
All protected species shall be treated in terms of applicable legislation (refer to the above
Enviroweb website).
These plants should be cleared for the total width of the servitude and an appropriate
herbicide plan instituted (refer to http://teknowrep.eskom.co.za/EM_Herbicides/MM/main.htm
for the Reed and Bulrush Management Plan). In areas of high winds such as the Western
Cape, reeds should be cleared for 100 m outside the servitude or as local conditions may
indicate. This should be done in full consultation with landowners and with an appropriate
EMP as prescribed by ESKPVAAZ1 (ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
(EMP) PROCEDURE) and ESKASABG3 (STANDARD FOR BUSH CLEARANCE AND
MAINTENANCE WITHIN OVERHEAD POWER LINE SERVITUDES). See the Enviroweb
website. Because the plants are associated with wetlands, care should be taken to minimize
any impact by the management activities on the wetland.
In terms of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act 43 of 1983), all alien invasive
species in the R.O.W. should be cleared and chemically treated for the total width of the
servitude. Refer to Problem Plants in Transmission and Distribution on the Enviroweb
website (refer to ESKASABG3 (STANDARD FOR BUSH CLEARANCE AND
MAINTENANCE WITHIN OVERHEAD POWER LINE SERVITUDES).
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In areas of high wind (e.g. Western Cape) alien vegetation should be cleared to a distance of
100 m outside the servitude or as local conditions may indicate, as a precaution against fire.
Adjacent landowners should be included in the removal of alien plants as the Conservation of
Agricultural Resources Act (Act 43 of 1983) also applies to them. Particular attention should
be paid to alien plant infested rivers.
Savannas are described in broad terms by Scholes [16](p258) as consisting of a two layered
structure (tree and grass layer) with an intermediate layer of shrubs that is sometimes
present. These groups of plants are inter-linked and activity in the tree and bush layers will
have an effect on the grass layer.
Fire in savannas is limited by the availability of grass fuels and the sparse grass production in
arid savannas usually does not support fire [9](p 440, 439). Rainfall, soils and grass
production should therefore form an important part of the vegetation management strategy.
A phenomenon known as bush densification occurs when the natural balance between the
grass, shrub and tree layers is disturbed through change in interaction with grazers, browsers
and the exclusion of fire [16](p 271) [9](p 439). Bush densification, as defined above,
represents a problem in the savanna biome as it produces an abundance of fine fuels for fire
and many fire-induced flashovers of transmission lines are experienced under these
conditions.
Figure 9 An example of bush densification in the savanna biome and the amount of cut
material that is generated during bush clearing (photo Theuns de Bruin, Pottie
Potgieter)
The clearing of this biome generates a high volume of cut material, which poses a fire risk of
its own. The clearing activities should therefore be done in a way that reduces the fire risk in
the vicinity of the power line but without creating a new risk. These activities should also be
done in a way that will not have a negative effect on the remaining plants and soils. Methods
of disposing of this unwanted material will differ from one farm to the other as farming
methods and owner preferences differ while suitable methods of disposal exist under certain
farming practices
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From observations of burn sites in a savanna biome, during the 2001 fire season, it was
concluded that the fire-critical zone for flashovers resulting from fires in densifiers, happens
within 5 m from the vertical below the conductor, predominantly in the mid span area. These
values are highly influenced by the atmospheric conditions at the time of the fire.
Based on these results, the area of the servitude within 5 m from the outside conductors
should be considered as critical for clearing any densifiers or any other plants that pose a fire
risk. The areas closer to the towers carry a lower fire risk than the mid-span area. Local
conditions have a marked effect on the fire risk and may indicate the removal of fire risk in a
curved fashion as indicated in the sketches at the end of the document. See appendices A, B
and C.
The secondary zone of the servitude refers to the remainder of the servitude. Local plant and
other fire risk conditions will determine the action with regard to determining the fire risk of
the plants in this area.
Not all plants in the servitude pose a fire risk. The excessive removal of plants not only leads
to a risk of erosion in certain soils and generates large quantities of unwanted plant material,
but will also have an impact on the species of grass that will grow in the servitude in this
newly modified habitat. It can be expected that higher than normal growth of grasses will
follow the removal of shrubs. The removal of large amounts of vegetation will also have an
effect on the aesthetics, in particular on farms where eco-tourism is practised.
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Atmospheric conditions such as wind speed, relative humidity and air temperature will greatly
influence fire behaviour and this must be borne in mind with the clearing of the servitude.(see
annexures A - D) As densifiers do not carry any legal protection and as they signify abnormal
situation, they may normally be removed especially where they restrict access or pose further
fire risks. Protected species, slow growing plants that, due to their structure, do not pose a
fire risk should be identified during the compilation of the management plan and left intact in
the interest of preventing soil erosion.
In the compilation of the vegetation management plan consideration should also be given to
plants with agricultural value. An example of such a plant that is found in the savanna biome
is Grewia flava (Brandy bush; Rosyntjiebos, Moretlwa). This plant is highly favoured by both
domestic animals as well as game and is often associated with grass, thereby adding to its
fire risk. In cases where large plant specimens grow in the fire critical zone, these may be
removed. In the rest of the servitude others should be left.
Where access to a botanists and a comprehensive vegetation survey is totally not possible,
the following method may be applied: It is proposed that all shrubs, acacias and compound
fine-leafed trees with a stem diameter smaller than 100 mm are cut. This should be revised
after the first 10 spans have been cut to determine an appropriate standing stem count for
the area. The remaining trees should then be assessed individually for their own risk in terms
of fires or clearance [Butch Rossouw, SURICATA, pers comm).
Vegetation in valleys as depicted in appendix E can also be left if they do not pose as a fire
risk?
In cases where a rigorous fire management plan exists on the land in question, this should
also be taken into account in the determination of the fire risks. In cases where no control
over fires exists, as is sometimes the case with Government-owned land, more extensive
clearing would be called for than in the case where strict fire control measures are in force.
Care must however be taken with the extensive removal of plants not to destabilize soils. The
appropriate EMP with an herbicide plan will ensure that this aspect as well as any other
consequential reaction of plants (such as the growth of weeds or aliens) will be managed.
The introduction of grass species may be considered as a remedy in these cases. The
spreading of the cut material on areas of sparse plant growth may also contribute to the
establishment of a micro-cosmos that will encourage the establishment of grass. The close
contact between the cut material and the soil will also aid the decomposition of the cut
material.
As mentioned above, the existing land use practices (livestock or game farming) will also
have to be taken into account during this process. The landowner should at all times be
consulted and be made part of the process.
Where eco-tourism is practised, effective use can be made of plants as a visual screen next
to roads and tracts to screen towers and cleared areas. The management plan should
identify and use plants with a low fire risk for this purpose.
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Protected species shall be treated as prescribed by the law and only be cut after obtaining an
appropriate permit. Hot spots where protected species (or unwanted species such as
weeds) are likely to occur, may be used as a screening method in the compilation of the
EMP.
The chemical or biological follow-up treatment should be discussed with the landowner and
should follow the guidelines in ESKASABG3 (STANDARD FOR BUSH CLEARANCE AND
MAINTENANCE WITHIN OVERHEAD POWER LINE SERVITUDES).
The disposing of large quantities of cut material generates its own problems. The stacking of
cut material in windrows at the edge of a servitude poses a further fire threat to the line. It
also has the potential to sterilize the seedbed under hot burning conditions. Farmers also
complain about the effect that these windrows have on the free movement of game and stock
animals.
As a result the above selective cutting procedure is proposed. This should adequately reduce
fire risk without generating an unnecessarily large quantity of cut material that has to be
disposed of.
Local farming practices will indicate which disposal method is to be followed. The following
methods are available:
Cut material can be spread equally inside and outside the servitude to protect new
grasses from grazing pressure. The fire risk of this method must be assessed for each case
and cognisance should be taken of the fire- critical zones as well as local farming and
burning practices. In some cases stock farmers do not like this method as they claim that it
prevents their cattle from grazing there. Under these conditions a high risk of overgrazing
exists and these servitudes must be monitored closely. The cut material should as far as
possible, not be stacked, but placed in close contact with the soil to aid the decomposition of
the cut material.
Excessive plant material may in certain cases also be removed by mulching, provided
that the mulched material is spread in such a way that it does not sterilize the soil. This
method has, to date, not proved very successful as the densifiers consist of high-density
woods and equipment failure has been experienced.
In certain areas the cut wood may be utilized as firewood by the landowner or by third
parties. Local conditions and landowner preference will indicate the appropriate course of
action.
A proposal worth exploring would be to determine the viability of establishing a
BEE/SMME contractor to chip and process the removed shrubs for the manufacture of
compost or game pellets.
In cases where the removal of plant material is not feasible, prescribed burning of the
servitude may take the place of vegetation removal. Prescribed burns can take place with the
line switched out and can be carried out during the day or at night. In cases of high
phytomass, night burns are preferable. Certain plant types such as Tagetes minuta (Tall
khakiweed) and Cosmos bipinnatus (Cosmos) have been reported to be implicated as high-
risk plants with regard to fire flashovers. These plants occur where the soil has been
disturbed as a result of agricultural or other activities and require special attention during fire
prevention planning.
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The F.D.I. must be obtained and burns must be carried out by people with the correct
training and equipment appropriate for the task. Cognisance should be taken of the possibility
of soil sterilisation and consequential plant succession during these burns. As a general rule,
landowners must report all burns to Eskom so that the necessary arrangements can be made
to safeguard the lines.
Further management of the veld after the removal of plants should be established and
contained in a site-specific E.M.P. The aim should be to establish a stable and low
maintenance situation with a minimum fire risk. The use of fire should play an important role
here. The involvement of landowners in this process is extremely important. A monitoring
programme should indicate any corrective actions.
The forestry industry is well organized to prevent fires as well as the early spotting and
fighting of fires. Fire fighting associations (FFA) exist in Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal and the
Western Cape.
Sugar cane is harvested after excess plant material has been burnt off. Where this process
takes place in the proximity of, or underneath, power lines, a flashover occurs [17].
Cane-free servitudes have been used as a remedy but this reduces the landowners
production capability. Early notification of intended burns is reported to Eskoms Operation
Fire Break. If possible, lines are switched out for the duration of the burn. During 2001 more
than a thousand reports of intended burns were received which resulted in successful switch-
outs and the prevention of fire faults. Unplanned burns still remain a problem.
Other methods such as green harvest or thrashing are used. Innovative work on the
alternative harvesting of cane in the vicinity of power lines has been done.
This biome is not known for fire risk. It is however vulnerable to erosion and veld
management activities must be addressed in the site-specific E.M.P.
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14. FYNBOS
This is a highly diverse and prized floral kingdom that also poses a high fire risk to power
lines. The fire risk to power lines from plants in this biome, is further compounded by the
atmospheric conditions prevalent in the Western Cape during the Austral summer.
The management of this biome is highly specialized and has a complex response to variation
in the fire regime. Changes in species composition are attributed to the interaction between
fire and the regenerative properties of the plant [9](p 433). Bond [9] states that because some
proteoid shrubs only regenerate from seed stored in canopy seed banks, some fires may
drastically alter species composition. Short fire frequency can eliminate certain non-sprouting
proteas, whilst favouring serotinous species.
The management of servitudes in Fynbos areas is clearly a very complex matter. Fire must
be used with great caution and veld management practices have to be developed in a site-
specific E.M.P. for this biome by experts with the appropriate knowledge.
Indigenous forests normally do not pose a fire risk as they seldom burn [9](p 423).
The plants are worthy of conservation and a site-specific veld management E.M.P. must be
developed for each case.
In addition to commercially operated Fire Fighting Associations (F.F.A.), formed mainly by the
forestry industry and mentioned above, the Veld and Forest Fire Act promotes the formation
of Fire Protection Associations (F.P.A.). The F.F.A. may be employed to act as a fire watch
on specified days (ORANGE and RED). These associations have spotter planes and fire
fighting ground crews to enable the early extinguishing of fires that are reported. In extreme
cases, air borne water bombers are also employed to extinguish large fires.
The formation of Fire Protection Associations (F.P.A.) in terms of the Veld and Forest Fire
Act is an ongoing process where the community is organized to prevent and control fires.
These associations will benefit Eskom once formed, as they will result in a more controlled
situation with regard to fires. For more information refer to
http://www.dwaf.gov.za/Forestry/Fireawareness/eng.pdf
17. CONCLUSION
19.1. Scope
This document covers the reasons and principles applicable to the management of
vegetation under Transmission power lines. It also discusses vegetation management in
broad categories.
19.1.1. Purpose
The purpose of this document is to inform the management of vegetation under Transmission
power lines.
19.1.2. Applicability
Parties using this guideline shall apply the most recent edition of the documents listed below.
19.2.1. Normative
19.2.2. Informative
[1] Tyson, P.D., Preston-Whyte, R.A. 2000. The Weather and Climate of Southern Africa.
Oxford, New York; Oxford University Press.
[2] Jackson, L.W. c1997. Vegetation Dynamics on a Managed New York Right-of-Way
(1977-1996) in Williams, R.W., Goodrich-Mahoney, J.W., Wisniewski, J.R.,
Wisniewski, J. (eds.) c1997.The Sixth International Symposium on Rights-of-Way
Management; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Elsevier Science.
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[3] Morrow S.D. c1997. Effective Integrated Vegetation Management in Williams, R.W.,
Goodrich-Mahoney, J.W., Wisniewski, J.R., Wisniewski, J. (eds.) c1997.The Sixth
International Symposium on Rights-of-Way Management; New Orleans, Louisiana,
USA; Elsevier Science.
[4] Finch K.E., Shupe S.D. c1997. Nearly Two Decades of Integrated Vegetation
Management on Transmission Rights-of-Ways in Williams, R.W., Goodrich-Mahoney,
J.W., Wisniewski, J.R., Wisniewski, J. (eds.) c1997.The Sixth International
Symposium on Rights-of-Way Management; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Elsevier
Science.
[5] Mc Loughlin K.T. c1997 Application of Integrated Pest Management to Electric Utility
Rights-of-Way Vegetation Management in New York State in Williams, R.W.,
Goodrich-Mahoney, J.W., Wisniewski, J.R., Wisniewski, J. (eds.) c1997.The Sixth
International Symposium on Rights-of-Way Management; New Orleans, Louisiana,
USA; Elsevier Science.
[6] Vosloo H.F., van Rooyen C. Investigation into Biologically induced Line faults on
Eskoms Transmission system, 2001. CIGR 4th Southern Africa Regional
Conference Oct 2001 Cape Town South Africa.
[7] Norris L. Eskom/EPRI Right-of-Way Technology Transfer Workshop, April 9-11 2002
[9] Bond W.J. Fire c1997 in Cowling R.M., Richardson D.M., Pierce S.M. (eds.) c1997.
Vegetation of Southern Africa. Cambridge, U.K. Cambridge University Press
[10] Cowling R.M., Richardson D.M., Pierce S.M. (eds.) c1997. Vegetation of
Southern Africa. Cambridge, U.K. Cambridge University Press
[11] Vosloo H.F. 2002. Report on fire incidents on the 765kV lines on 29 July 2002
Eskom Transmission Technology report TT/05/02.
[12] Vosloo H.F. 2002. Report on fire fault on the 765kV lines in the Standerton
area on 29 July 2002 Eskom Transmission Technology report TT/07/02.
[13] Vosloo H.F. 2002. Report on fire fault on the 765kV lines in the Virginian area
on 29 July 2002 Eskom Transmission Technology report TT/08/02.
[14] van Wilgen B.W. 1984 Fire Climates in the Southern and Western Cape
Province and their potential use in fire control and management. South African
Journal of Science.
[15] Barclay J.J., Jury M.R.& Washington R. 1993. Meteorology of fire danger in
the Natal Drakensberg. South African Journal of Science.
[16] Scholes R.J. Savanna c1997 in Cowling R.M., Richardson D.M., Pierce S.M.
(eds.) c1997. Vegetation of Southern Africa. Cambridge, U.K. Cambridge University
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Press
[17] Cowan P.M., Dunn J.A., Naidoo P., Masters J. 1991. Sugar cane fire induced
transmission line flashovers. Elektron, January 1991.
19.3. Definitions
Servitude the right to use someone elses land, for a specified purpose. In the case of an
overhead line servitude, is the right to erect, operate and maintain an electric line as well as
enter that land for the execution of those activities. It does not constitute full ownership and
access and activities should always be carried out with due respect for the landowner.
Servitude is registered in the Deeds office and forms part of the title deed of a property.
19.4. Abbreviations
The Line and Servitude managers of each grid shall be responsible for the implementation of
these guidelines in their respective Grids.
The Line and Servitude managers of each grid shall be responsible for the monitoring of
adherence of these guidelines in their respective Grids.
Refer to OHSA Act (Act 85 of 1993) for safe clearances applicable to overhead electrical
lines. The table below is derived from that Act and gives minimum ground clearance as well
as minimum safe distance to trees, structures etc.
The servitude widths quoted below are the most common widths for each voltage. For actual
widths please refer to the servitude deed.
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20. Authorisation
This document has been seen and accepted by:
Name Designation
W. Majola GM (Services)
J Machinjike GM (Grids)
21. Revisions
Date Rev. Remarks
The contribution of Peter Nelson and dr Eugene van Rensburg is also acknowledged.
The author wishes to thank Butch Rossouw, Francois de Wet, Chris Austin and Joggie van
Staden for their valuable input and shaping the ideas contained in this document.
Annexures
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5m 8m 8m 5m
Note: Concerns queries and comments on this document should be referred to the compiler
When downloaded from Transmission database, this document is uncontrolled, responsibility lies with the user to ensure that it is the authorised version
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Edge of servitude
10m
T T
O O
W W
E E
R R
5m
Tower
Tower
Conductor
FIRE CONTROL GUIDE Fires are not Ignition may take Extreme Ignition can occur Ignition can occur from
likely to start. If place near caution should readily, spread may be sparks. Rate of spread will
started, they prolonged heat be taken when fast in the forests be extremely fast for
spread very sources (camp controlled though not for extended periods. Fires
slowly or may fires, etc.), spread burning is sustained periods. will be extremely hot with a
go out without is slow in forests, carried out. Grass fires could dangerous heat effect on
aid from moderate in open Aircraft should outstrip forces with a people within 10m of the
suppression areas. These are be called in at spread of fire and there may be
forces. There is light surface fires , the early stages approximately 7km/h. extensive crowning, fire
little flaming with low flames. of a fire. Fires may be very hot whirls and long range
combustion Control is readily with local crowning spotting. Control may not
and intensity is achieved by direct and short to medium be possible by frontal
low under all manual attack and range spotting. attack during the day and
conditions. with minimum Control will be very fire fighters should limit
Control is forces, difficulty difficult, requiring their actions to containing
readily may be indirect attack lateral spread, until the
achieved and experienced on methods with major weather changes. Damage
little or no exposed dry assistance necessary. potential total and
mopping up is slopes and some Mopping up may mopping up operations
required. light mopping up require and extended mat be very extensive and
will be necessary. effort. difficult. Full assistance
necessary throughout.
Appendix D.9
Final Report
Prepared for
18 August 2006
ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS FROM
OVERHEAD POWER LINES
Prepared for
by
Pieter H Pretorius
Dr P H Pretorius
Founding Member: Empetus Close Corporation
-i-
Contents
List of Figures v
List of Tables vi
Nomenclature vii
1. INTRODUCTION 1
1.2 Approach 1
2. DISCUSSION 4
3. CONCLUDING REMARKS 32
6. REFERENCES 38
- iii -
Executive Summary
Executive Summary
The planning and siting of new power lines involve public participation. In many cases during
public meetings and negotiations, the topic of the possible health effects of power frequency
electric and magnetic fields surfaces. This report has been prepared, in a not-too-technical
manner, in support of questions that may be raised at such meetings. This document could
also be included for purposes of additional information in environmental impact assessment
reports.
A summary of technical and biological aspects based on a literature survey and field
calculations is presented:
Overhead power lines generate electric and magnetic fields. Electric fields, measured in
kV/m:
Are linked to the voltage of the power line and remains relatively stable with the line
energized.
Can be reduced (shielded) fairly easily.
Decrease with an increase in distance from the line.
Are linked to the current flowing (load) on the line. Magnetic field levels in the vicinity
of a power line typically show daily and seasonal variation patterns.
Can be reduced. Reducing magnetic fields require special engineering techniques or line
designs.
Decrease with an increase in distance from the line.
As household appliances and other electrical equipment also generate electric and magnetic
fields (EMF), people are generally exposed to varying levels of EMF in their daily lives at
work and at home.
Many (epidemiology, laboratory and live animal) studies have been conducted over the past
three to four decades to determine whether health effects may arise from exposure to EMF.
The main focus of the research has been on a possible association between long term
exposure to magnetic fields and childhood leukemia. The suggestion for this health outcome
stems mainly from some epidemiological studies.
This finding has not been confirmed by controlled laboratory studies: No evidence of a causal
relationship between magnetic field exposure and childhood leukemia has been found and no
dose-response relationship has been shown to exist between EMF exposure and biological
effects.
A possible explanation for the epidemiological findings may be confounding or bias which
render the data inconclusive and prevent resolution of the inconsistencies in the
epidemiologic data.
Because of the lack of a known biophysical mechanism that would explain these effects,
many question the existence of clinical responses. Clinical responses, if any, as a result of
power frequency electric and magnetic field exposure to levels typically found in residential
and power line environments, appear insignificant.
- iii -
Executive Summary
The absence of evidence on health effects is generally not considered to mean evidence of the
absence of health impacts and has resulted in some scientists advocating caution and finding
ways to avoid or reduce exposure.
Studies on behaviour, reproduction, health, meat and milk production have found minimal or
no effects of EMF on animals.
Past studies have found no significant effect of EMF on plant growth, crop production and
seed germination. No recent studies of plants growing near transmission lines have been
conducted.
The guidelines for electric and magnetic field exposure set by the International Commission
for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) receives world-wide support and are
endorsed by the Department of Health in South Africa.
Calculations of electric and magnetic field levels created by overhead power lines have shown
that areas where members of the public may be exposed (at the servitude boundary and
further away from the line) are well within the ICNIRP guidelines. Where necessary and
where field levels exceed the ICNIRP guidelines within the servitude, techniques exist to
reduce the field levels.
Keywords
Electric Field, Magnetic Field, Overhead Line, Health Effects, Plants, Animals
Distribution
Copy No 1 of 2 - Eskom Holdings Ltd
Copy No 2 of 2 - File
- iv -
List of Figures
List of Figures
Figure 5 Typical electric field profile for two parallel 765kV lines 11
associated with the Flat configuration indicated in Table 5
(Tower Geometry as per Appendix A).
Figure 6 Typical magnetic field profile for two parallel 765kV lines 11
associated with the Flat configuration indicated in Table 5
(Tower Geometry as per Appendix A).
-v-
List of Tables
List of Tables
Table 5 Some of the existing and newer 400kV and 765kV line designs of 8
Eskom.
Table 9 Electric and magnetic field exposure guidelines set by ICNIRP (1998). 28
- vi -
Nomenclatures
Nomenclature
Acronyms:
AC - Alternating Current.
Units:
kV/m - kilovolt per metre: The unit of measurement of electric field levels (electric field
strength). 1kV = one thousand volt per metre.
mG - milligauss: 10 mG = 1 T.
Definitions:
Epidemiology - The study of health and disease in human populations and the
factors that affect these.
- vii -
1. INTRODUCTION
The planning and siting of new power lines involve public participation. In many
cases during public meetings and negotiations, the topic of the possible health effects
of power frequency electric and magnetic fields (EMF) surfaces. Empetus Close
Corporation has been approached to prepare a report, in a not-too-technical manner,
in support of questions that may be raised at such meetings.
The intent was not to develop a biological understanding of how exposure to power
frequency electric and magnetic fields could produce health effects as this requires a
more elaborate report and information relating to this aspect can be found from some
of the internet sites sited in Appendix B.
Risk communication, risk management and risk perception did not form part of the
original scope of this report.
This report is not an overview of studies but rather a summary of key reviews.
1.2 Approach
The information presented in this report was obtained from a literature survey as well
as calculations of electric and magnetic field levels near 400kV and 765kV lines.
-1-
In order to meet the requirements for the report outlined above and to address typical
questions that may be raised, the report is structured to cover the following sections
with most section headings posed as a question:
ii. Modern Power Line Structures and Associated Electric and Magnetic Fields
Typical field levels and profiles, calculated for modern power line structures
based on the technical information (tower geometries and conductor types
received from Eskom) presented in Appendix A, are covered in this section.
Images of the tower structures are also presented.
-2-
vi. Exposure Limits.
Electric and magnetic field levels applied as exposure limits are covered in
this Section. The exposure guidelines endorsed by the Department of Health
in South Africa are specifically noted.
There are literally thousands of studies that have been published on the topic over the
last three to four decades [77, 78]. In order to summarise the findings of research in
general and in the context of the questions and sections mentioned, a deliberate
attempt was made to rely more on reviews of published research, rather than to cover
individual studies only. The author also relied on an internet search (Google Search
Engine) to gather information for the report.
The following criteria were used as a guideline for the literature survey:
EMF research developed over a period of time and significant advances and
improvements in study methodologies and design, in later years, justified the
approach to consider mainly material published during the last decade (1996 to
2006).
i) because limited or no (review) material was available from the period 1996 to
2006;
-3-
2. DISCUSSION
Electric and magnetic fields (EMF) are always created, in varying levels, with the
generation and use of electricity and at the frequency of the electrical power system.
In South Africa, as in most European countries, electric power is supplied as an
alternating current (AC) at a frequency of 50 Hertz (Hz). This means that the electric
current flowing in the system changes direction 50 times per second. The American
power system operates at 60 Hz.
Power system frequencies (50 Hz or 60 Hz) are much lower than the frequencies of
electromagnetic energy applied, for example, in radio broadcasting (typically 88 to
108 MHz (1 MHz = 1 million Hertz)) or microwave systems operating at 2,4 GHz (1
GHz = 1 billion Hertz). This is important to note when discussing biological effects.
Any biological effects that may occur from exposure to microwave frequencies will
be as a result of heating of biological tissue. Safety precautions, for this frequency
range, are thus based on limiting field levels that may cause a rise in tissue
temperature.
Any biological effects associated with exposure to power frequency EMF, occur as a
result of electric current induced in the subject by the EMF. Safety precautions, for
these frequencies are thus based on limiting field levels that may induce electric
current in the subject that are considered harmful.
At the low frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz, two fields exist that can be studied
separately: electric fields and magnetic fields.
Electric fields are produced by the presence of electric charges and therefore the
Voltage (V) applied to a conductor. Generally the voltage on a system is stable and
remains the same. Electric fields decrease with an increase in distance from the
source (conductor).
Electric field levels are measured in Volts per metre (V/m). Because of the range of
the levels encountered in power system environments, field levels are reported in
kilovolt per metre (kV/m). (One thousand V/m = 1 kV/m).
Magnetic fields are produced by the current flowing (movement of electric charge) on
a conductor. Electric current is measured in Ampere (A). The current on a system
may vary depending on the number of devices (load) supplied by the system. As the
load changes, the magnetic field will change. Magnetic fields decrease with an
increase in distance from the source (conductor).
Magnetic field levels are measured in Tesla (T). Because of the range of the levels
encountered in typical power system environments, field levels are reported in
microtesla (T). (One millionth of a Tesla = 1 T). Some American literature use the
unit of Gauss (G) where 10 milligauss (mG) = 1 T.
Electric and magnetic fields may exist alone or in combination. For example, an
electric field will be created around the electric lead of a lamp plugged into and
-4-
switched on at the wall, with the device switched off (light off). Should the lamp be
switched on at the wall and at the device (light on), electric current will flow and a
magnetic field will co-exist with the electric field in the vicinity of the electric lead.
This field effect is the same for power lines.
On a calm, clear and sunny day, the natural electric field could be a few tens of V/m.
This level can increase to several thousand V/m during a thunderstorm.
Table 2 summarises typical electric field levels measured in the vicinity of Eskom
power lines [2].
Table 2: Summary of typical electric field levels measured in the vicinity of Eskom
power lines [2].
Voltage Max Electric Electric Field at Servitude Width
(kV) Field (V/m) Servitude Boundary (m) (1)
(V/m)
From Table 2 it is clear that the electric field falls to lower levels with an increase in
distance from the line.
-5-
Table 3: Summary of typical magnetic field levels encountered in various
environments and close to household appliances [1].
Description Magnetic Field
(
T)
Note: Levels indicated for household appliances were measured at 30cm from the
appliance.
From Table 3 it can be seen that appliances, particularly those with electric motors,
may generate magnetic fields with levels similar to power lines. Exposure to fields
from household appliances is usually of a short duration.
The natural magnetic field is of the order of 30T (in Johannesburg) and may vary up
to about 70T at the poles (North or South pole). This field is static and varies very
slowly with time.
Table 4 summarises typical magnetic field levels measured in the vicinity of Eskom
power lines [2].
Table 4: Summary of typical magnetic field levels measured in the vicinity of Eskom
power lines [2].
It is clear from Table 4 that the magnetic field falls to lower levels with an increase in
distance from the line.
-6-
2.2 Modern Power Line Structures and Associated Electric and Magnetic Fields
In discussing electric and magnetic fields from overhead power lines it is useful to
refer to the maximum field level below the line as well as the field level at the
servitude boundary. Maximum field levels are found at the midspan position (the
position midway between two adjacent towers), where the conductors are closest to
the ground.
Electric fields created in the vicinity of overhead power lines depend on the voltage
on the line, the tower configuration and the conductor height above ground.
Magnetic fields created in the vicinity of overhead power lines depend on the current
flowing on the line, the tower configuration and the conductor height above ground.
Table 5 illustrates some of the existing and newer line designs used by Eskom at 400
kV and 765 kV. Typical electric and magnetic field profiles associated with these
designs are indicated in Figures 1 to 4. For the field calculations, the lowest
conductor was kept at the same height for all three configurations considered: 17 m
above ground for 765 kV and 13 m above ground for 400 kV. Refer to Appendix A
for more detail on the line configurations used in the field calculations.
The magnetic field profiles in all cases were calculated for a line current of 1,000 A.
Because the magnetic field is directly proportional to the line current, the field value
can easily be scaled up or down for different loads on the line.
The zero metre mark 0 m in Figures 1 to 4 indicates the centre of the line.
It is clear from the field profiles in Figures 1 to 4 that different tower configurations
present different field profiles. Power line design engineers use this as a technique in
the design of overhead power lines to arrive at the lowest and desired field levels in
the vicinity of a power line. It should be noted that electric and magnetic field levels
are not the main consideration in the design of an overhead power line, but that other
parameters related to the geometry (conductor type, placement of shield wires and
phase spacing, for example) play a significant part in the design of the line in order to
optimize its electrical performance and to minimise cost.
In some instances, power lines may be constructed to run parallel to each other.
Electric and magnetic field profiles of an example of two 765 kV lines running
parallel to each other (60 m centre to centre spacing) are respectively indicated in
Figure 5 and Figure 6. In this case the centres of the towers are located at -30 m and
30 m in Figures 5 and 6.
From Figure 2 it can be observed that the maximum magnetic field level for the 400
kV designs, is higher than the maximum magnetic field level for the 765 kV designs.
This is because the height of the conductors, in the case of the 400 kV designs, is
lower than that for the 765 kV designs. In both cases the line current was 1,000 A.
The profiles indicated in Figures 1 to 6 show how the field levels fall to lower values
with increasing distance from the line. Maximum allowable field levels used in the
design of overhead power lines are covered in Section 2.6.
Although specific tower designs can be selected to reduce maximum field levels, if
required, field reduction is not the main consideration in the selection of a specific
tower type. Techniques, other than tower configuration, to reduce field levels are
covered in Section 2.7.
-7-
Table 5: Some of the existing and newer 400kV and 765kV line designs of Eskom.
-8-
ELECTRIC FIELD PROFILE: 400KV LINE
6.0
5.0
Electric Field (kV/m)
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
-80 -70 -60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Horizontal Distance (m)
Figure 1: Typical electric field profiles for a 400kV line associated with the tower
designs indicated in Table 5 (Tower geometry as per Appendix A).
16.0
14.0
Magnetic Field (uT) / 1000A
12.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
-80 -70 -60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Horizontal Distance (m)
Figure 2: Typical magnetic field profiles for a 400kV line associated with the tower
designs indicated in Table 5 (Tower geometry as per Appendix A).
-9-
ELECTRIC FIELD PROFILE: 765KV LINE
12.0
10.0
Electric Field (kV/m)
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
-80 -70 -60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Horizontal Distance (m)
Figure 3: Typical electric field profiles for a 765kV line associated with the tower
designs indicated in Table 5 (Tower geometry as per Appendix A).
14.0
12.0
Magnetic Field (uT) / 1000A
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
-80 -70 -60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Horizontal Distance (m)
Figure 4: Typical magnetic field profiles for a 765kV line associated with the tower
designs indicated in Table 5 (Tower geometry as per Appendix A).
- 10 -
ELECTRIC FIELD PROFILE: 2 x 765KV LINE
12.00
10.00
Electric Field (kV/m)
8.00
6.00
4.00
2.00
0.00
-140 -120 -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Horizontal Distance (m)
Figure 5: Typical electric field profile for two parallel 765kV lines associated with
the Flat configuration indicated in Table 5 (Tower geometry as per Appendix A).
12.00
10.00
Magnetic Field (uT) / 1000A
8.00
6.00
4.00
2.00
0.00
-140 -120 -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Horizontal Distance (m)
Figure 6: Typical magnetic field profile for two parallel 765kV lines associated with
the Flat configuration indicated in Table 5 (Tower geometry as per Appendix A).
- 11 -
2.3 What are the Effects on Humans?
2.3.1 Background
There are different types of studies addressing distinct aspects of the problem and
essential in evaluating potential adverse health effects of electric and magnetic fields.
Laboratory studies are conducted on cells (removed from the organism) and are
designed to reveal fundamental underlying mechanisms involved in linking EMF
exposure to biological effects. The focus is on changes, at cellular and molecular
level, brought about by exposure to the field. Changes observed may provide clues to
how a physical force brings about a biological action in the body. Possible
compensation mechanisms may be inhibited during this type of study as the cells are
not in their normal living environment.
Whole animal studies involve live animals, are more closely related to situation in
real life and may provide evidence more relevant to establishing safe exposure levels
for humans. Different exposure levels are employed in the study to yield information
about dose-response relationships.
Epidemiological studies (human health studies) provide information on long-term
effects of exposure. These studies investigate the occurrence and distribution of
diseases, in real life situations, in human populations. Researchers can then establish
if there is a statistical association between exposure to EMF and the incidence of a
specific disease or adverse health effect.
Epidemiological studies involve measurements on very complex human populations.
In addition, epidemiological studies are difficult to control well to detect small effects
and factors, such as, confounding may play a part in affecting the outcome of the
study. For these reasons, scientists evaluate all relevant evidence from cellular
studies, animal studies and epidemiological studies when deciding about potential
health hazards from EMF.
Of the first reports covering possible effects of electric fields were published in the
sixties [3]. These reports noted Russian substation workers complaining about fatigue
and reduced sexual potency and claimed these effects to result from exposure to
electric fields in the substations.
The debate on possible health effects of exposure to power frequency magnetic fields
was stimulated by the first epidemiological study [4], published by Wertheimer and
Leeper in 1979, that suggested a possible association between long term exposure to
power line magnetic fields and leukemia in children.
- 12 -
Many studies on the topic of electric and magnetic fields and possible health effects
have been reported on over the last two decades [5, 6, 77, 78]. Some of these studies,
from a scientific perspective, have been of a higher quality and have been designed
and executed in more credible ways than others. In addressing consensus and
conclusions drawn from this research, it makes sense to reflect on critical, scientific
reviews of published research rather than to address and reflect on individual and
isolated studies. Reviews reported by the following organisations, are noted in order
of publication date:
With our current understanding, we can identify 60 Hz magnetic fields from power
lines and perhaps other sources in the home as a possible, but not proven, cause of
cancer in people.
In summary, the epidemiological findings that have been reviewed provide no firm
evidence of the existence of a carcinogenic hazard from exposure of paternal gonads,
the fetus, children, or adults to the extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields
that might be associated with residence near major sources of electricity supply, the
use of electrical appliances, or work in the electrical, electronic, and
telecommunications industries. Much of the evidence that has been cited is
- 13 -
inconsistent, or derives from studies that have been inadequately controlled, and some
is likely to have been distorted by bias against the reporting or publishing of negative
results. The only finding that is at all notable is the consistency with which the least
weak evidence relates to a small risk of brain tumours. This consistency is, however,
less impressive that might appear as brain tumours in childhood and adult life are
different in origin, arising from different types of cell. In the absence of any
unambiguous experimental evidence to suggest that exposure to these electromagnetic
fields is likely to be carcinogenic, in the broadest sense of the term, the findings to
date can be regarded only as sufficient to justify formulating a hypothesis for testing
by further investigation.
Table 6 summarises the conclusions drawn by the NIEHS Working group on non-
cancer related health effects.
"The NIEHS believes that the probability that EMF exposure is truly a health hazard
is currently small. The weak epidemiological associations and lack of any laboratory
support for these associations provide only marginal scientific support that exposure
to this agent is causing any degree of harm."
NIEHS noted that the "strongest evidence" for health effects comes from statistical
associations observed in human populations with childhood leukemia. "While the
support from individual studies is weak," according to the report, "these
epidemiological studies demonstrate, for some methods of measuring exposure, a
fairly consistent pattern of a small, increased risk with increasing exposure that is
somewhat weaker for chronic lymphocytic leukemia than for childhood leukemia."
NIEHS further noted that laboratory studies focusing on basic biological function do
not support the findings of the epidemiological associations and "Virtually all of the
laboratory evidence in animals and humans and most of the mechanistic studies in
cells fail to support a causal [cause and effect] relationship."
The panel assisting NIEHS in reaching its conclusions, rejected EMF as a "known" or
proven, or even "probable" carcinogen. A majority of the panel said a role in cancer
could not be ruled out and EMF should be regarded as "possible" carcinogen. The
NIEHS recommended that electric and magnetic fields be treated as a "possible"
cancer causing agent, but emphasised the weakness of the data and the low risk that
may be involved.
- 14 -
Table 6. Conclusions drawn by the NIEHS Working group on non-cancer related health
effects.
Biological Parameter / Health Outcome Evidence Supporting Biological
Parameter / Health Outcome
Strong Weak Inadequate None
Adverse birth outcomes from maternal X
occupational exposure.
Reproductive effects from paternal exposure. X
Alzheimers disease. X
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. X
Suicide and depression. X
Adverse effects on pregnancy outcome or X
depression.
Effects on immune system in experimental X
animals.
Cardiovascular disease. X
Effects on hematological parameters in rodents. X
Neurobehavioral, neuropharmacological, X
neurophysiological and neurochemical effects in
experimental animals.
Reproductive or developmental effects from X
exposure to sinusoidal magnetic fields in
experimental animals.
Affects bone repair and adaptation strong X
evidence for complex clinical exposures to pulsed
electromagnetic fields.
Affect nervous system and non-bone connective
tissue repair and adaptation in vertebrates no
conclusion reached.
Short term exposure and heart rate variability. X
Short term exposure and changes in sleep X
disturbance.
Short term exposure and suppression of melatonin. X
Alters the levels of melatonin in rodents. X
Alters the levels of melatonin in sheep and X
baboons.
Effects on hematological system in experimental X
animals.
Electric fields can be perceived. X
Studies reviewed in the earlier report [1992] by the Advisory Group suffered from a
lack of measurement-based exposure assessments. Since then, considerable advances
have been made in methods for assessing exposure, both in the case of experimental
studies and in epidemiological investigations. Instrumentation allowing personal
exposure to be measured has become widely available and has been used in many of
the more recently published studies. This has provided a substantially improved basis
for many of the epidemiological studies reviewed by the Group.
At the cellular level, there is no clear evidence that exposure to power frequency
electromagnetic fields at levels that are likely to be encountered can affect biological
processes. Studies are often contradictory and there is a lack of confirmation of
- 15 -
positive results from different laboratories using the same experimental conditions.
There is no convincing evidence that exposure to such fields is directly genotoxic nor
that it can bring about the transformation of cells in culture and it is therefore unlikely
to initiate carcinogenesis.
Those results that are claimed to demonstrate a positive effect of exposure to power
frequency magnetic fields tend to show only small changes, the biological
consequences of which are not clear.
Overall, no convincing evidence was seen from a review of a large number of animal
studies to support the hypothesis that exposure to power frequency electro-magnetic
fields increases the risk of cancer.
Recent large and well-conducted studies have provided better evidence than was
available in the past on the relationship between power frequency magnetic field
exposure and the risk of cancer. Taken in conjunction they suggest that relatively
heavy average exposures of 0,4 T or more are associated with a doubling of the risk
of leukaemia in children less than 15 years of age. The evidence is, however, not
conclusive. In those studies in which measurements were made, the extent to which
the more heavily exposed children were representative is in doubt, while in those in
Nordic countries in which representativeness is assured, the fields were estimated and
the results based on such small numbers that the findings could have been due to
chance. In the UK, very few children (perhaps 4 in 1000) are exposed to 0,4 T or
more and a study in the UK, with much the largest number of direct measurements of
exposure, found no evidence of risk at lower levels. Nevertheless, the possibility
remains that high and prolonged time-weighted average exposure to power frequency
magnetic fields can increase the risk of leukaemia in children. Data on brain tumours
come from some of the studies also investigating leukaemia and from others
concerned exclusively with these tumours. They provide no comparable evidence of
an association. There have been many fewer studies in adults. There is no reason to
believe that residential exposure to electromagnetic fields is involved in the
development of leukaemia or brain tumours in adults.
IARC has now concluded that ELF magnetic fields are possibly carcinogenic to
humans, based on consistent statistical associations of high level residential magnetic
fields with a doubling of risk of childhood leukaemia. Children who are exposed to
- 16 -
residential ELF magnetic fields less than 0,4 microtesla have no increased risk for
leukaemia.
a) The quality of epidemiologic studies on this topic has improved over time and
several of the recent studies on childhood leukemia and on cancer associated with
occupational exposure are close to the limit of what can realistically be achieved in
terms of size of study and methodological rigor.
i) The exposure is imperceptible, ubiquitous, has multiple sources, and can vary
greatly over time and short distances.
ii) The exposure period of relevance is before the date at which measurements can
realistically be obtained and of unknown duration and induction period.
iii) The appropriate exposure metric is not known and there are no biological data
from which to impute it.
d) There has been a large body of high quality data for childhood cancer, and also for
adult leukemia and brain tumor in relation to occupational exposure. Among all
the outcomes evaluated in epidemiologic studies of EMF, childhood leukemia in
relation to postnatal exposures above 0.4 T is the one for which there is most
evidence of an association. The relative risk has been estimated at 2.0 (95%
confidence limit: 1.273.13) in a large pooled analysis. This is unlikely to be due
to chance but, may be, in part, due to bias. This is difficult to interpret in the
absence of a known mechanism or reproducible experimental support. In the large
pooled analysis only 0.8% of all children were exposed above 0.4 T. Further
- 17 -
studies need to be designed to test specific hypotheses such as aspects of selection
bias or exposure.
Magnetic fields of the order of 100T and higher can cause intermittent mode
reversion or pacing inhibition in patients with unipolar sensing pacemakers. The
overall incidence of this interference is low with more modern pacemakers and
depends on the situation of each individual. Electric fields have been shown to affect
the older type of pacemakers [19].
Persons wearing pacemakers that may be exposed to power line EMF are advised to
consult a physician regarding their individual situations.
- 18 -
Summary
The main focus of research has been on a possible association between long term
exposure to magnetic fields and childhood leukemia.
Based on the epidemiological findings, the risk of EMF being a health hazard is
small.
Based on current understanding of the topic, EMF is regarded a possible but not
proven cause of cancer.
The suggestion for this health outcome stems mainly from a fairly consistent
pattern of the increased but small risk observed from some epidemiological
studies. This finding has not been confirmed by (notably all) controlled laboratory
studies.
Table 7 summarises the findings of studies done on animals near overhead power
lines. Studies typically involve the comparison of an exposed group versus a control
group or the energisation and de-energisation of a line for some period of time.
See Notes 2 and 3 at the end of Table 7 for information about fish and bees.
- 19 -
No Study Finding/s Reference/s
2. Live stock living near a A comprehensive study on [19, 22]
765kV line. livestock (beef and dairy cattle,
sheep, hogs and horses) living
on eleven farms and near a
765kV line showed no evidence
that the health, behaviour or
performance of the livestock
were affected by electric fields.
The 765kV line produced
electric fields on some of the
farms up to 12kV/m.
- 20 -
No Study Finding/s Reference/s
5. Behaviour, performance and Swine raised on purpose [19, 27, 28]
reproduction of swine raised beneath a 345kV power line
beneath a 345kV line. were exposed to a maximum
electric field of 4,2kV/m. A
study of their behaviour and
performance showed no
effects related to field
exposure on their body
weight, carcass quality,
behaviour or feed intake.
Findings on reproduction,
the second phase of the
study, showed no effect of
the line on pregnancy rate,
frequency of birth defects or
weight gain of the young.
Animals showed no
reluctance to graze or drink
underneath the line.
Statistical analysis of data
from the two first years of
the study indicated that the
cattle spent somewhat more
time near the line when de-
energised. This finding
could not conclusively be
related to the line.
- 21 -
No Study Finding/s Reference/s
8. Wild animals near overhead Research suggests that any [19, 31, 32]
power lines. effects of electric and
magnetic fields on wildlife
are subtle and difficult to
identify.
10. Small mammals near 500kV A study on the effect of two [19, 34]
lines. 500kV lines passing through
a servitude showed small
mammals to be more
abundant in the cleared
servitude in hardwood
forests as opposed to pine
forests. In both areas, the
servitude was used by some
species not present in the
adjacent forest.
- 22 -
No Study Finding/s Reference/s
11. Small mammals near a A study over several years [19, 35, 36]
1,200kV line. did not show any adverse
effects on the mammals.
13. Birds near power lines. Studies of song birds near [19, 35, 37,
overhead power lines 38, 39]
(Considerations other than indicate that vegetation
electric and magnetic fields within the servitude is the
arise in the context of birds primary factor influencing
and power lines see Note 1 usage and behaviour, rather
below). than electric or magnetic
fields.
Notes : 1) In open country, some bird species may use the towers for perching and
nesting. The Environmental Management Programmes employed by
electric utilities make provision for birds and power lines. These include:
Marking of power line conductors to make them more visible to birds;
- 23 -
Specially designed and modified power lines and towers to reduce the
possibility of bird collision and electrocution.
The details of these fall outside the scope of this report and the reader is
referred to the local electric utility for more information on these aspects
[2]. Research on bird collisions does not suggest that electric or magnetic
fields cause disorientation of flying birds. Electrocution of birds with large
wingspans is generally associated with distribution lines with relatively
small phase spacing and not with electric or magnetic field exposure.
2) Some fish species are sensitive to very weak, low frequency electric and
magnetic fields in water. American eels and Atlantic salmon have been
reported to perceive low frequency electric fields of between 7 and
70mV/m (millivolt per meter) [41]. A study on electric fields up to
20mV/m (45Hz to 75Hz), however, showed little, if any effect on
behaviour of blue-gill fry [19, 41, 42].
Summary
The effects of electric fields on plants have been a field of interest to scientists since
the eighteenth century, mainly because of interest in possible use of electricity to
increase crop yield [19]. During the mid nineteen seventies, some EMF studies were
specifically directed towards investigations on the effects of power frequency electric
fields on plants. These were later followed by effects of magnetic fields on plants.
Table 8 summarises the findings of some of these studies.
- 24 -
Table 8: Effects of electric and magnetic fields on plants.
No Study Finding/s Reference/s
1. Eighty five plants species Some species with sharp pointed [19, 44, 45]
were studied in a laboratory leave tips shown minor tip
exposed to electric fields up damage starting to occur at
to 50kV/m. In addition, crops electric field levels of 15 to
(including corn and wheat) 20kV/m (Note 1). This effect was
grown in a greenhouse, not observed on plants with
exposed to a 30kV/m electric rounded leaf tips, even at
field. 50kV/m. Germination, plant
growth and productivity were not
affected at these high levels.
2. Corn and other crops growing The overall results showed no [19, 46, 47,
near 765kV lines, including a noticeable influence on crop 48, 49, 50]
test line, producing electric growth and productivity. Some
field levels respectively up to crops growing in the 16kV/m
12kV/m and 16kV/m. field of the test line showed some
leaf tip damage. Overall plant
growth was, however, not
impaired.
3. Corn grown in electric field Corn grown in the electric field [19, 51]
beneath a 500kV line. up to 8,5kV/m showed a lower
yield when compared to corn
grown in areas shielded from the
electric field. Other crops and
trees that included cotton,
soybeans, clover, poplar and pine
showed no effects. The
researchers concluded that data
for the corn study was
insufficient to reach definite
conclusions and that further
investigation was warranted.
- 25 -
No Study Finding/s Reference/s
5. Plants (trees, shrubs, grasses The tips of branches of some [19, 29, 35,
and crops) growing near a trees that were planted 36, 53]
1,200kV prototype line. below the line and left to
grow on purpose (as close as
12m from the line) were
damaged by corona (See
Note 1).
- 26 -
No Study Finding/s Reference/s
8. Germination of seeds exposed Some authors reported on [55, 56, 57,
to 50T magnetic fields at the enhancement of seed 58]
extremely low frequency. germination from exposure
to 50T magnetic fields. The
mechanism for this effect is
not understood and other
investigators have been
unable to confirm this
finding.
10. Corn and wheat grown in The researchers found some [55, 60]
electric fields up to 3,9kV/m evidence for some
and magnetic fields up to physiological reactions in
4,5T in plots at varying response to the effects of
distance near a 380kV line. field strength. However, the
The study was done over a variations were not
four year period. statistically significant,
showed no apparent relation
to the field strength, and
were comparable to small-
scale effects due to
differences in soil texture
between the plots. Thus, if
the study did uncover effects
of environmental electric
and magnetic fields at these
levels, they were minor in
nature.
Notes: 1) Any object placed in an electric field will disturb (enhance) the field. If
increased sufficiently, corona (ionization of air molecules) may occur. For
example, in the case of an electric field disturbed by a sharp pointed leaf
tip.
From the table above, it is clear that damage of leaf tips occur at fairly high electric
field levels at locations very close to the line. Trees growing this close to the power
line have to be pruned and trimmed according to the electric utilitys requirements for
servitude management. At field levels outside the servitude, where tall trees are
allowed and more likely to be found, the electric field levels will be low enough not
to cause leaf tip damage.
- 27 -
Summary
Considering the findings of studies on the effects of electric and magnetic fields on
plants, as noted in Table 8 above, it can be concluded that electric and magnetic fields
with levels typical of a power line environment, complying with the requirements for
proper servitude management as prescribed by the electric utility, are unlikely to
affect plants in terms of growth, germination and crop production.
The guidelines for electric and magnetic field exposure set by the International
Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) [61], an organisation
linked to the World Health Organisation (WHO), receive world-wide support [62]
and are summarised in Table 9.
Table 9. Electric and magnetic field exposure guidelines set by ICNIRP (1998) [61].
Reference Level
Occupational 10 500
Public 5 100
Basic Restriction:
Occupational 10
Public 2
The ICNIRP guidelines are based on a Reference Level, a field level easily measured
and spatially averaged across the volume taken up by the body of the exposed person,
and a Basic Restriction. The Basic Restriction is presented, in this case, as a safe
induced current density and is measured in milli-ampere per square metre (mA/m2).
Should the Reference Level be exceeded, then further evaluation is required to ensure
that the Basic Restriction is not exceeded [65].
South Africa: Utilities, in South Africa, involved in the generation and distribution
of electrical energy, are bound by the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act [63]
to provide such services in a safe manner. There are currently no regulations (under
the Hazardous Substances Act) in terms of exposure to power frequency EMF in
South Africa and the ICNIRP guidelines are used for assessing human exposure to
these fields.
- 28 -
The exposure guidelines set by ICNIRP (1998) [61] are endorsed by the South
African Department of Health as well as the South African Forum for Radiation
Protection.
The maximum permissible exposure level for the general public to electric fields is 5
kV/m, except on transmission line rights-of-way (servitude), where the limit is 10
kV/m.
In some states, the maximum permitted fields are the maximum fields that existing
lines produce at maximum load.
Europe: As far as limits for electric and magnetic field exposure applied in Europe
are concerned, the European Standard: EN 50392 [68] is strongly based on the
ICNIRP guidelines for exposure power frequency to electric and magnetic fields.
From the above, it is noted that utilities are typically guided by a maximum electric
field limit of 10kV/m in the design of power lines, particularly 765kV lines. This
maximum electric field limit (10kV/m) is based on safety considerations when a large
vehicle (truck) parked underneath the line is touched by a well grounded (electrically
earthed) person, for example. To meet this design limit, particularly for 765kV lines,
the required minimum conductor clearance above ground is adjusted accordingly.
Safety of the public from electric and magnetic field exposure is ensured by
application of the ICNIRP guidelines, typically at the servitude boundary as residence
within the servitude is generally not allowed. Where exposure to electric and
magnetic field levels above the ICNIRP guidelines may take place, special
engineering techniques, as outlined in Section 2.7, can be applied to reduce the fields
to more acceptable levels.
As noted earlier, shielding of the electric field can be achieved fairly easily by
introducing conductive material into the field. For example, a wire mesh bonded to
earth and supported by wooden poles covering the area that needs to be shielded. This
technique is effective but may be considered as having significant visual impact.
Depending on the desired field level, line compaction (bringing the conductors of the
power line closer to each other) may also be applied. The effect of more compact
tower designs (Delta configuration as opposed to Flat configuration) on partial field
reduction has already been demonstrated in Figures 1 to 4. Field reduction by line
compaction is limited because compaction in turn affects other electrical parameters,
important to the safe and effective operation of the line.
- 29 -
Table 10. Summary of engineering techniques that can be applied to reduce power frequency
magnetic fields from overhead power lines.
Technique Brief Description Field Cost (1) Key Considerations
(1)
Reduction
Line compaction Reduction in phase Marginal Small May introduce
spacing. corona;
May limit available
techniques for live
line maintenance.
Shielding with Use of high Exceptional Low Only small areas can
material permeability be shielded at
material to shield a relatively low cost;
small area or Feasible only for
product. local applications.
Note: 1) Field reduction and cost are compared to a flat, horizontal configuration (See
explanation below).
- 30 -
Although magnetic field reduction, to a certain extent, can be achieved by line
compaction (See Figures 1 to 4), special engineering designs are required to reduce
magnetic fields significantly. Table 10 summarises some of the methods, including
specially engineered techniques, that can be applied to reduce magnetic fields if
required.
With reference to Table 10, the following categories cover estimates of the cost of the
field reduction technique [2]:
It should be noted that cost and electrical performance of the line strongly dictate the
technique to be applied. Magnetic field mitigation is a highly technical subject and, in
view of the scope of this report, is only briefly discussed. The reader requiring more
technical detail about the techniques mentioned, is referred to References [2, 73, 74,
75]. The application of specific field reduction technique needs to be evaluated on a
case by case basis.
The following citations (in order of publication date: 2000 to 2004) summarise
international opinion and consensus on the topic:
As EMF science has improved and evolved, it has become increasingly clear that if
exposure to EMF poses any health risk at all, the overall public health impact is small.
Recent epidemiological studies, carried out on large populations, have not established
a causal link between childhood or adult cancers and magnetic field exposure,
although some weak and persistent statistical association remain unexplained. At the
same time, laboratory studies on cells, tissues and whole animals have found no
consistent or convincing evidence that power-frequency electric or magnetic fields in
the workplace or at home produce harmful biological effects - nor has any credible
mechanism been proposed by which such effects could occur.
The knowledge gained from this research is reassuring and in agreement with the
actual position statement of the World Health Organization (WHO) and of the
American National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). It is
CIGRE's view that there is no scientific justification for measures to reduce exposure
to EMF through changes in the technology and management of existing high-voltage
- 31 -
power systems. Nevertheless, considering the existence of public concern and some
scientific uncertainties, CIGRE will continue to monitor the issue and to update its
view in the light of any new developments.
Having considered the totality of the scientific evidence in the light of uncertainty
and the need for a cautious approach, NRPB recommends that restrictions on
exposure to EMF in the UK should be based on the guidelines issued by the
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) in 1998.
3. CONCLUDING REMARKS
The topic electric and magnetic fields from overhead power lines has been discussed
in this report. In particular, a summary of technical and biological aspects based on a
literature survey and field calculations is presented.
Overhead power lines generate electric and magnetic fields. Electric fields, measured
in kV/m :
Are linked to the voltage of the power line and remains relatively stable with the
line energized.
- 32 -
Can be reduced (shielded) fairly easily.
Are linked to the current flowing (load) on the line. Magnetic field levels in the
vicinity of a power line typically show daily and seasonal variation patterns.
As household appliances and other electrical equipment also generate electric and
magnetic fields (EMF), people are generally exposed to varying levels of EMF in
their daily lives at work and at home.
Many (epidemiology, laboratory and live animal) studies have been conducted over
the past three to four decades to determine whether health effects may arise from
exposure to EMF. The main focus of the research has been on a possible association
between long term exposure to magnetic fields and childhood leukemia. The
suggestion for this health outcome stems mainly from some epidemiological studies.
This finding has not been confirmed by controlled laboratory studies: No evidence of
a causal relationship between magnetic field exposure and childhood leukemia has
been found and no dose-response relationship has been shown to exist between EMF
exposure and biological effects.
Because of the lack of a known biophysical mechanism that would explain these
effects, many question the existence of clinical responses. Clinical responses, if any,
as a result of power frequency electric and magnetic field exposure to levels typically
found in residential and power line environments, if any, appear insignificant.
Studies on the behaviour, reproduction, health, meat production, milk production and
navigation have found minimal or no effects of EMF on animals.
Past studies have found no significant effect of EMF on plant growth, crop production
and seed germination. No recent studies of plants growing near transmission lines
have been conducted.
- 33 -
The guidelines for electric and magnetic field exposure set by the International
Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) receives world-wide
support and are endorsed by the Department of Health in South Africa.
Calculations of electric and magnetic field levels created by overhead power lines
have shown that areas where members of the public may be exposed (at the servitude
boundary and further away from the line) are well within the ICNIRP guidelines.
Where necessary and where field levels exceed the ICNIRP guidelines within the
servitude, techniques exist to reduce the field levels.
- 34 -
4. APPENDIX A LINE GEOMETRY
The following tower geometries were used in calculating the field profiles indicated
in Figures 1 to 6.
765kV Lines
765kV - Delta
- 35 -
400kV Lines
400kV - Delta
- 36 -
5. APPENDIX B USEFUL INTERNET SITES
The following internet websites (from North America, Europe and South Africa) are
listed, with the date the site was last accessed, and provides additional and useful
information to the interested reader:
- 37 -
6. REFERENCES
[1] National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), Electric and Magnetic Fields
from the Use of Electricity, At a Glance Series, 1994.
[2] Eskom, The Planning, Design and Construction of Overhead Power Lines,
132kV and Above, ISBN 9780620330428, Feb 2005.
[6] Takebe, H, Shiga, T, Kato, M, Masada, E, Biological and Health Effects from
Exposure to Power Line Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Confirmation of
Absence of Any Effects at Environmental Field Strength, IOS Press, ISBN 158
603 1058, 2001.
[8] NRPB, Electromagnetic Fields and the Risk of Cancer, Report of an Advisory
Group on Non-Ionising Radiation, Document 3, No 1, 1 138, 1992.
[10] NIEHS, Assessment of Health Effects from Exposure to Power Line Frequency
Electric and Magnetic Fields, Working Group Report, NIH Publication No 98-
3981, Aug 1998.
[11] NIEHS, Report on Health Effects from Exposure to Power Line Frequency
Electric and Magnetic Fields, NIH Publication No 99-4493, 4 May 1999.
[13] Pretorius, P H, Health Effects from Power Frequency Electric and Magnetic
Fields: Recent Findings, SAIEE / CIGRE Colloquium: Interference in Power
Systems LF and HF, Midrand, South Africa, Oct 1999.
[14] NRPB, ELF Electromagnetic Fields and the Risk of Cancer. Report of an
Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation. NRPB 12, Document No 1, 1 179,
2001.
[15] IARC, IARC Finds Limited Evidence that Residential Magnetic Fields
Increase Risk of Childhood Leukemia, Press Release No 136, 27 Jun 2001.
- 38 -
[16] Elwood, J M, Childhood Leukemia and Residential Magnetic Fields: Are Pooled
Analyses More Valid than the Original Studies? Bioelectromagnetics, 27 : 112 -
118, 2006.
[21] Lee, J M, Reiner, G L, Transmission Line Electric Fields and the Possible
Effects on Live Stock and Honeybees, Transactions of the American Society of
Agricultural Engineers, 26 (1): 279 286, 1983.
[25] Hennichs, K, Cows Exposed to 400kV Lines. Inventory and Fertility Study,
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Report No 7, Skara, Sweden, 1982.
- 39 -
[30] Hefeneider, S H, McCoy, S L, Hausman, F A, Christensen, H L, Takahashi, D,
Perrin, N, Bracken, T D, Shin, K Y, Hall, A S, Long-term Effects of 60-Hz
Electric vs Magnetic Fields on IL-1 and IL-2 Activity in Sheep,
Bioelectromagnetics, 22 (3) : 170 177, 2001.
[33] Goodwin, J G, Big Game Movement Near a 500kV Transmission Line in North
Idaho, A Study by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education for
the Engineering and Construction Division, Bonneville Power Administration,
Portland, Oregon, 1975.
[38] Kroodsma, R L, Effects of Power Line Corridors on the Density and Diversity of
Bird Communities in Forested Areas, p 551 561 in Crabtree, A F (Editor),
Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Environmental Concerns
in Rights of Way Management, Mississippi State University, 1984
- 40 -
0130, US Naval Electronics System Command, Department of Zoology,
University of Maine, 1974.
[42] Coate, W B, et al, Project Sanguine Biological Effects Test Programme - Pilot
Studies, Final Report, Prepared for Naval Electronics Systems Command
Headquarters, Washington, 1970.
[49] Roy, W R, King, J V, A Study of the Growth of Winter Wheat Near an Ultra
High Voltage Transmission Line, American Electric Power, 1983.
[53] Lee, J M, Clark, C F, Ecological Effects of EHV and UHV Transmission Lines
Current Issues, Paper 233-07, CIGRE Symposium on Transmission Lines and
the Environment, Jun 23 25, Stockholm, Sweden, 1981.
- 41 -
[55] Foster, K R, Repacholi, M H, Environmental Impacts of Electromagnetic Fields
from Major Electrical Technologies, Proceedings of an International Seminar on.
Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on The living Environment, Germany, 4-5
October 1999.
[64] Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), AC transmission Line Reference Book
200kV and Above, 3rd Edition, EPRI, Palo Alto, CA, 1011974, 2005.
[66] IEEE PC95.6-2002, Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure
to Electromagnetic Fields, 0 to 3 kHz. Prepared by Subcommittee III of
Standards Coordinating Committee 28, IEEE Standards Department, New York:
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc, 2002.
[67] EPRI, Comments on the IEEE Standard for Safety Levels With Respect to
Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields, 0 to 3 kHz (2002), http://
72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:kDH6Oqj52AcJ:www.osha.gov/SLTC/elfradiati
on/epri-ieee103d.pdf+%22electric+field%22+%22power+line%22+%22limit%
22&hl= en , 3 Jan 06.
- 42 -
[69] CIGRE Position Statement: Power-frequency Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) and
Health (on behalf of the Technical Committee, Nov 2000), Electra No 196, Jun
2001.
[70] WHO, Fact Sheet 263: Electromagnetic Fields and Public Health: Extremely
Low Frequency Fields and Cancer, Oct 2001.
[71] NIEHS-NIH, Questions and Answers: Electric and Magnetic Fields Associated
with the Use of Electric Power, US National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences (NIEHS), 2002.
- 43 -
Appendix D.10
IMAGE PLATE
Kriel-Sol 400kV
transmission lines
and Kruispunt-
2623'48.27"S
Image 2 Wildebees
2909'20.09"E
distribution line
from the R580
road
Kriel-Sol 400kV
transmission lines
and Kruispunt-
Wildebees 2623'14.31"S
Image 3
distribution line at 2909'13.01"E
the point where
they cross over
the R580 road
ESTIMATED
IMAGE
FEATURE / VIEW CO- IMAGE
NUMBER
ORDINATES
Matla-Glokner
400kV
transmission lines,
2617'50.82"S
Image 6 crossing the R580
2907'00.88"E
road and heading
into the Matla
power plant
ESTIMATED
IMAGE
FEATURE / VIEW CO- IMAGE
NUMBER
ORDINATES
Agricultural land,
2615'22.71"S
Image 8 south of the R580
2858'23.44"E
road
Agricultural land
and residential 2614'56.83"S
Image 10
settlements along 2856'47.63"E
the R580 road
Kendal-Tutuka
400kV
2614'51.03"S
Image 11 transmission line,
2856'26.33"E
crossing over the
R580 road
Intersection of
2614'38.17"S
Image 12 R580 road and
2854'41.62"E
R50 road
ESTIMATED
IMAGE
FEATURE / VIEW CO- IMAGE
NUMBER
ORDINATES
A NFEPA wetland
area and graves,
2614'52.97"S
Image 13 on the eastern
2854'51.63"E
side of the R50
road
Dam with
waterfowl, to the 2617'02.11"S
Image 15
east of the R50 2854'59.60"E
road
ESTIMATED
IMAGE
FEATURE / VIEW CO- IMAGE
NUMBER
ORDINATES
Cattle grazing
2618'26.84"S
Image 16 adjacent to the
2854'43.23"E
R50 road
A section of the
railway line which 2623'03.80"S
Image 17
runs to the south 2853'09.76"E
of the R29
The intersection of
the P1971 road 2619'24.41"S
Image 19
and the D1059 2850'11.01"E
road
View of Delmas
Coal North Shaft 2617'41.54"S
Image 21
discard dump from 2850'20.51"E
the D1059 road
ESTIMATED
IMAGE
FEATURE / VIEW CO- IMAGE
NUMBER
ORDINATES
Location of
proposed KiPower
IPP (west of road),
with Matla- 2614'50.68"S
Image 24
Benburg 275kV 2851'06.87"E
transmission lines
visible in the
background
ESTIMATED
IMAGE
FEATURE / VIEW CO- IMAGE
NUMBER
ORDINATES
The set of
transmission lines
(Matla-Benburg,
Malta-Esselen and
Matla-Nevis), 2614'11.88"S
Image 26
crossing over the 2851'08.18"E
D1059 road and
heading towards
the Matla power
plant
KIPOWER (PTY) LTD
Eskom/EWT partnership
1
Start
The increasing demand for energy globally and here at home has resulted in an increasing need to
ensure that electrical infrastructure, such as power lines, is constructed in a bird friendly manner.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust's (EWT) Wildlife and Energy Programme is involved in addressing the
impacts of electrical infrastructure on wildlife and birds, and will be celebrating World Migratory Bird
Day on the 9th and 10th of May 2015 to highlight the need for the protection of migratory birds and
their habitat. The theme for this year's celebrations is entitled "Energy - Make it Bird Friendly.
Energy infrastructure across the globe poses significant threats to wildlife and especially birds. Some
of the interactions include bird collisions with power lines and wind turbine blades, electrocutions
with power lines, collision with heliostats (mirrors) at concentrated solar plants (CSP), birds being
burnt in the solar flux at CSP facilities and birds being attracted to solar farms by the lake effect that
solar panels create.
In view of the complexity, scope and persistence of the problem of interactions between birds and
power lines, Eskom and the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) entered into a partnership in 1996 to
address the problem in a systematic manner on a national basis and to establish an integrated
management system to minimize these negative interactions.
Over the last 19 years the Eskom/EWT partnership has worked tirelessly to find solutions to the
negative interactions associated with electrical infrastructure, and some of the key achievements of
the partnership include developing new bird friendly power line designs, careful routing of new
power lines, placement of mitigation measures on existing power lines and new and innovate ideas
around the mitigation devices for preventing bird collisions and electrocutions.
South Africa`s energy mix is evolving and the Eskom/EWT Partnership is constantly adapting to the
new challenges this process brings. Renewable energy is, in many cases, generated from new
technology, and the associated threats are often poorly understood. Our understanding of how birds
are impacted by different technologies is only now becoming clearer but more data are needed to
understand and mitigate for these negative interactions.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust is a non-profit, public benefit organisation dedicated to conserving
species and ecosystems in southern Africa to the benefit of all people.
NPO Number: 015-502, PBO number: 930 001 777, Member of IUCN - The International Union for Conservation of Nature
The Endangered Wildlife Trust is US 501(c)(3) compliant under US IRS Registration number: EMP98-0586801.
2
These interactions are not limited to our endemic species in South Africa but include a number of
migratory birds like White Storks, Lesser Kestrels, Yellow billed Kites, Steppe Eagles and Amur Falcons
to name but a few. It is our responsibility to ensure that the electrical infrastructure developed is bird-
friendly says Constant Hoogstad, EWT's Wildlife and Energy Programme Manager.
Please visit www.ewt.org.za or contact WEP Manager Constant Hoogstad (constanth@ewt.org.za) for
more information about the EWT-Eskom Partnership and the Wildlife and Energy Programme.
.
End.
and
Lillian Mlambo
Communication and Brand Manager
Endangered Wildlife Trust
Tel: +27 11 372 3600
lillianm@ewt.org.za
The Endangered Wildlife Trust is a non-profit, public benefit organisation dedicated to conserving
species and ecosystems in southern Africa to the benefit of all people.
NPO Number: 015-502, PBO number: 930 001 777, Member of IUCN - The International Union for Conservation of Nature
The Endangered Wildlife Trust is US 501(c)(3) compliant under US IRS Registration number: EMP98-0586801.
APPENDIX F.2
In South Africa many raptors and crows use telephone poles (and other telecommunication
and electrical structures). These structures provide these birds with a secure and high nest
site, secure perch, as well as an elevated position from which to hunt for prey.
The use of these structures for breeding purposes is a fairly recent phenomenon, and has
enabled certain species to expand their breeding ranges into areas where no natural nesting
sites occur. A feature of this phenomenon is that the use of man-made structures usually
occurs in areas where natural nest sites are either absent or of a poor quality.
When birds of prey and crows construct their nests on utility structures (telephone poles and
electricity pylons) they often make use of long sticks, branches and other material (such as
wire). This material (both wire and plant material) can result in flash-overs (outages) when
it touches two conductors and may therefore ignite (damaging the pole or pylon), especially
when the nest material is wet (from rain, mist or fog). Nest material can also ignite when
lightning strikes the nest and pole, and this a frequent problem in the Northern Cape,
particularly along the telephone line between Groblershoop and Prieska. Burnt nests can
result in damage to equipment, an ineffective telecommunication service, a subsequent loss of
revenue, and of course the death of the birds in the nest.
SOLUTIONS
There are several possible solutions to the problem: (a) trim the nest of excessive material, (b)
remove pieces of wire, (c) insulate the conductors, (d) build an artificial nest platform above
the insulators/conductors, and/or (e) remove the nest entirely.
Experience has shown that the removal of the nest is not a lasting solution to the problem, as
the birds will return and rebuild the nest and continue with their breeding activities. A solution
may be to remove wires and other unwanted material and to leave the birds to carry on with
their breeding activities. The birds will usually keep the nest in good condition by adding to
the top of the structure, and few problems will occur as long as the birds continue to occupy
the territory, for they will drive other birds of the same species out of the area. One problem
with this method is that it is labour-intensive, costly and not always a lasting solution to the
problem.
A solution that needs to be explored is the insulation of the telephone wires, electricity cables
or other equipment that need to be protected. Although this would be costly, it would be a
lasting solution to the problem.
If nest removal is determined to be the only solution to the problem, this should only take
place outside the birds breeding seasons because:
1. It is an offence to disturb breeding birds (see below), and
2. It could result in the death of the embryo(s) in the egg(s) or death of the nestling(s).
LEGISLATION
All indigenous birds of prey are protected by the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act, 9 of
2009 under Schedule 1 (Specially Protected Species) and 2 (Protected Species). Birds of prey
may not be hunted, imported, exported, transported, kept, possessed, bred or traded with,
unless the person is in possession of a permit authorising him/her to do so.
Certain birds of prey listed on the Threatened or Protected Species Regulations (ToPS) Lists
are protected in terms on the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 10 of
2004 and the ToPS Regulations of 2007 (please note that the regulations and lists are currently
being amended). Restricted activities for example hunting, catching, keeping, killing, conveying
would require a ToPS permit. No permits will be issued for prohibited activities such as killing
with poisons, shooting at night, etc.
Therefore, in order to remove a raptor nest (i.e. one that is currently in use eggs, nestlings)
from a utility structure, the utility company (such as Telkom, Eskom or any other company) is
legally bound to obtain a permit to do so. In addition, written permission from the landowner
on whose property the birds are nesting has to be obtained.
The ordinance imposes no restrictions about the removal of nests that are not being used
(i.e. inactive). Corvids (Black and Pied crows) were previously not protected in terms of the
repealed Northern Cape Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974, but are now protected in
terms of the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act 9 of 2009.
Corvus albicollis (White-necked Raven/Withalskraai) is listed in Schedule 2 of the Act
(Protected Species) and a permit is required to hunt this bird.
Corvus albus (Pied Crow/Witborskraai) and Corvus capensis (Cape Crow/Swartkraai) are listed
in Schedule 3 of the Act (Ordinary Indigenous Species) no permits required but certain hunting
methods are prohibited.
Please note that each province has its own provincial conservation ordinance or act that will
determine the level of protection for birds of prey relevant to that province.
Please contact Rynette Coetzee (Law and Policy Programme Endangered Wildlife Trust) (011)
372-3600/083 271 0274 rynettec@ewt.org.za for particulars on provincial legislation.
In South Africa many species of raptors and two species of crows build nests on electricity
pylons, telephone poles, and other telecommunication structures and these birds may present
a problem to communication companies. However, some species, such as Verreauxs (Black)
Eagles breed on microwave towers, pylons and steel telecommunication towers and this is
not believed to influence the efficiency of these structures. To date many species of raptors
and two species of crows breed on structures and telephone poles which gives rise to conflict
situations resulting in considerable expense for communication companies in terms of
maintenance of structures and nest removal. A brief overview of some of these species is
provided.
1. Use of artificial structures: Black Eagles build their nests on power lines, cell phone masts
and microwave towers, but seldom on telephone poles.
2. Use of telecommunication structures: Nests are built on microwave towers and other large
telecommunication structures, with little or no interference in services.
3. Frequency of use of telephone poles for breeding: There is only one record of Verreauxs
Eagles breeding on a telephone pole near Prieska in the Northern Cape.
1. Use of artificial structures: There are records of Tawny Eagles building their nests on power
lines, but this species is not known to use telecommunication structures.
2. Use of telecommunication structures: No record of this species using these structures.
3. Frequency of use of telephone poles for breeding: Never observed.
1. Use of artificial structures: The Martial Eagle builds its nests on power lines and does so
frequently in the Karoo, but this eagle seldom use telecommunication structures.
2. Use of telecommunication structures: There is only one record of this species using
a telephone pole for breeding purposes, near Sutherland. Here Telkom apparently
erected another telephone pole adjacent to the one with the nest and re-routed the line.
3. Frequency of use of telephone poles for breeding: Very infrequent (only one record see
above).
Martial Eagle on power line mast
1. Use of artificial structures: The Black-chested Snake-Eagle builds its nest on power lines,
but there is no record of these birds using telecommunication structures.
2. Use of telecommunication structures: No record of this species using these structures.
3. Frequency of use of telephone poles for breeding: Never observed.
1. Use of artificial structures: There are a few incidents of African Fish Eagles nesting on
power lines; one nest at Douglas and another possible nest at Ganspan (Jan Kempdorp).
2. Use of telecommunication structures: No record of this species using these structures.
3. Frequency of use of telephone poles for breeding: Never observed.
1. Use of artificial structures: It has been recorded making use of pylons and telephone poles
for breeding purposes. This species also frequently perches on utility poles, from which
it hunts its prey.
2. Use of telecommunication structures: Builds its nests on telephone poles.
3. Frequency of use of telephone poles for breeding: Infrequent.
4. Distribution: Common in most parts of southern Africa.
5. Typical nesting habitat: Usually builds a small platform of sticks in a fork near the top of a
tree.
6. Breeding season: This species may breed at any time of the year (season: January - December).
Jackal Buzzard (Rooiborsjakkalsvol) Buteo rufofuscus
1. Use of artificial structures: Jackal Buzzards build their nests on a variety of artificial
structures, including electricity pylons and telephone poles.
2. Use of telecommunication structures: The Jackal Buzzard makes frequent use of artificial
structures for its breeding purposes, particularly in Namaqualand and the Karoo.
3. Frequency of use of telephone poles for breeding: Frequent, especially in Namaqualand.
4. Distribution in Southern Africa: The Jackal Buzzard is found throughout most of southern
Africa, being especially common in Namaqualand and the Karoo.
5. Typical nesting habitat: The Jackal Buzzard prefers mountainous and hilly terrain, with the
majority of nests being built on cliffs. This species also builds its nests on trees away from
hilly terrain.
6. Breeding season: It breeds from late-winter to early-summer throughout its range. Large
nestlings have been observed in the nest on telephone poles in the Springbok-Vioolsdrift
area during November and December (season: May October).
1. Use of artificial structures: The Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk breeds on telephone
poles throughout large parts of the country. This species may usurp the nests built by
crows.
2. Use of telecommunication structures: Uses telephone poles for nesting purposes
throughout its range.
3. Frequency of use of telephone poles for breeding: Frequent.
4. Distribution in southern Africa: This species is the most common raptor in the Northern
Cape, being widely distributed in this Province.
5. Typical nesting habitat: Builds a stick platform in the vertical fork of a tree.
6. Breeding season: Its breeding starts in July/August, peaks in October/November, and tails
off in May. Egg laying spans March to December, with a July to September peak (season:
June - January).
1. Use of artificial structures: Usually breeds in nests on trees, but also uses electricity pylons
and telephone poles. Its use of crow nests on utility structures has enabled it to increase
its range into flat, treeless areas.
2. Use of telecommunication structures: It makes use of nests on telephone poles.
3. Frequency of use of telephone poles for breeding: Infrequent.
4. Distribution in southern Africa: Occurs all over the Northern Cape, but at relatively low
densities. The status of the Lanner Falcon is near-threatened.
5. Typical nesting habitat: Generally a cliff-nester, but also breeds in the disused nests of
other birds, especially the Black Corvus capensis and Pied Corvus albus Crow.
6. Breeding season: Breeding is from July-December (season: July - December).
Rock Kestrel (Kransvalk) Falco tinnunculus
1. Use of artificial structures: Hunts from roadside telephone poles and electricity pylons.
Has been recorded to breed on pylons and telephone poles.
2. Use of telecommunication structures: Breeds on telephone poles.
3. Frequency of use of telephone poles for breeding: Frequent.
4. Distribution in southern Africa: Occurs throughout most of the region.
5. Typical nesting habitat: Usually breeds on cliffs. The nest is a scrape on a cliff-edge or a
pothole, or uses the old nests of larger birds.
6. Breeding season: Breeding takes place from September to January, with a peak from
September to December (season: September January).
1. Use of artificial structures: Uses a variety of artificial structures for breeding purposes,
such as telephone poles, pylons and windmills.
2. Use of telecommunication structures: Breeds in old crow or raptor nests on telephone
poles.
3. Frequency of use of telephone poles for breeding: Frequent.
4. Distribution: Widely distributed in open, arid habitats; therefore common in the Karoo
and Kalahari.
5. Typical nesting habitat: It is dependent on the nests built by other birds, especially the
nests of Pied and Black Crows.
6. Breeding season: Breeding is from August to December, with a peak from September
to October. Large nestlings have been observed in the nest on telephone poles in the
Springbok-Vioolsdrift area during November and December (season: August December).
1. Use of artificial structures: Pygmy Falcons usurp the chambers of the colonially-
breeding Sociable Weaver Philetairus socius. As Sociable Weavers often build their nests on
artificial structures, these little falcons are also associated with telephone poles, electricity
pylons, windmills and other artificial structures.
2. Use of telecommunication structures: Sociable Weavers build their nests on telephone
poles, and these are used by the Pygmy Falcon.
3. Frequency of use of telephone poles for breeding: Frequent.
4. Distribution in the Northern Cape: Confined to the northern areas of the Northern Cape,
with its distribution being determined by the range of the Sociable Weaver. The range
of the Pygmy Falcon has probably expanded further south and west in the Province, as a
result of the spread of the Sociable Weaver into these tree-less habitats.
5. Typical nesting habitat: It is closely associated with the Sociable Weaver. The pinkish-white
defecations at the entrance to one or more of the nest entrances is the tell-tale sign that
this nest is (or was) being used by a pair of Pygmy Falcons.
6. Breeding season: It breeds from August to March, with a peak in egg-laying from
September to December (season: August - January).
1. Use of artificial structures: The Secretarybird is added to the list, because it sometimes
roosts on top of Sociable Weaver nests on poles. The breeding season of Secretarybirds
is any time throughout the year depending on the rainfall.
Some owl species, like the Spotted Eagle Owl and Verreauxs Eagle Owl, breed on top of nests
like the Sociable Weaver nests that are on top of certain structures.
1. Use of artificial structures: Nests are frequently built on telephone poles and
electricity pylons, and the erection of these structures has probably facilitated the spread of
breeding crows, and consequently falcons and kestrels into otherwise unsuitable treeless
areas.
2. Use of telecommunication structures: Builds its nests on telephone poles.
3. Frequency of use of telephone poles for breeding: Frequent.
4. Distribution in South Africa: It is common in Namaqualand and the Kalahari Gemsbok Na-
tional Park, but uncommon in the Karoo and other parts of the country.
5. Typical nesting habitat: Its natural nesting substrate is the top of a tall tree, among thin
branches.
6. Breeding season: It breeds from July to January (season: July - January).
1. Use of artificial structures: Originally mainly a tree-nester, but now also nests on structures
such as buildings, telephone poles, electricity pylons, and windmills. This has resulted in a
range expansion into otherwise tree-less habitats.
2. Use of telecommunication structures: Builds its nests on telephone poles.
3. Frequency of use of telephone poles for breeding: Frequent.
4. Distribution in southern Africa: It is now common throughout most of southern Africa.
5. Typical nesting habitat: Usually in the fork of an isolated tall tree or on any manmade
structure.
6. Breeding season: Breeding is from August to January (season: August - January).
Newly hatched Pied Crow chicks and an egg in their nest. Note the blue colour of the
crows egg. Raptors have white eggs. The eggs of the Greater Kestrel are white with
brown markings.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. It is recommended that nests are not removed from artificial structures (unless
absolutely necessary), and that alternative solutions are sought to mitigate against the
problems caused by nesting raptors and crows. These include the trimming of nests, the
insulation of conductors, and the erection of simple nest platforms on communication
structures or other poles.
2. If nests (both active and inactive) are removed (and this should be seen as a last resort),
this must be done outside the birds breeding seasons (as indicated in Table 1). Any
disturbance of (breeding) raptors necessitates the acquisition of the necessary permit(s)
from the local Nature Conservation Department. The best time for the removal of nests is
during the four-month period from February to April.
3. It may be necessary for communication companies to seek the advice/assistance of the
local Nature Conservation Department or Birds of Prey Programme of the Endangered
Wildlife Trust in the identification of the raptor (or crow) species that is utilizing the
structure.
4. A working group should be formed to examine this problem in more detail, to determine
how the recommendations can be implemented, and to initiate research (suitability of
platforms for raptor nests, areas where platforms should be erected, etc.) and monitoring
projects (use of platforms for breeding by raptors) in the Northern Cape.
5. During the construction and maintenance of communication structures, all wire must be
collected and disposed of at an approved site. This will limit the amount of this material
available for use by crows, and thus reduce the frequency of flash-overs.
6. Telkom must continue with their practice of erecting wire baskets below the cross-arm of
telephone poles. These baskets are not only used by Sociable Weavers (for whom they
are intended) but also many raptor species, such as Pygmy Falcons (in the nest itself) and
Greater Kestrels, Lanner Falcons, and owls (on top of the Sociable Weavers nests).
hunt, in relation to a wild animal, means by any means, method or device whatsoever to cull,
to hunt, to kill, to capture, to collect, to disturb, to follow, to pursue, to search for, to drive, to
stampede, to shoot at, to discharge a missile at, to injure, to poison, to lay poison, to set a trap,
to lie in wait for, to lure and to wilfully disturb and include any such attempt to assist, guide or
escort another person to do any of the aforementioned;
import, in relation to a wild animal or plant, means any form of shipment, parcel or package
consigned to or brought into the Province or any attempt to consign or bring a wild animal or
plant, carcass, part or derivative thereof from any position or place outside the borders of the
Province to any position or place inside the borders of the Province in any manner whatsoever,
including re-import;
export, in relation to a wild animal or plant, means any form of shipment, parcel or package
consigned from or taken out of the Province or an attempt to consign or take a wild animal
or plant, carcass, part or derivative thereof from a position or place inside the borders of the
Province to a position or place outside the borders of the Province in any manner whatsoever,
including re-export;
keep, in relation to a wild animal, means to keep alive, to keep in captivity, to exercise control
over or to supervise;
possess, in relation to an animal or the carcass thereof or a plant, means to know of the
presence of and to have physical control over any such animal or carcass thereof or any such
plant, or to have the power and intention to exercise physical control over any such animal or
carcass thereof or any such plant;
breed, in relation to wild animals, means where individuals of a specific species are
permanently kept in captivity for the sole purpose of producing offspring;
trade means to buy or to sell, to receive, to give, to accept as a gift or to donate, or to acquire
or dispose of in any way by any means or method whatsoever;
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The following people contributed to the drafting of this document: Rick Harness
(Environmental Specialist, USA), Johan Lensing, Wessel Jacobs and Julius Koen (all from the
Northern Cape Nature Conservation Service), Abrie Maritz (Kalahari Raptor Project), Rudi
Kruger (Eskom), Chris van Rooyen (Eskom/EWT Partnership), Dr Gerhard Verdoorn (Raptor
Conservation Group), Dr Gerard Malan (University of Durban-Westville), Dr Andrew Jenkins
(Percy FitzPatrick Institute, UCT), and Dr Guy Castley (South African National Parks).
Some companies dont permit work on their masts while the eagles are breeding.
SOURCE OF INFORMATION
Allan, D. 1988. Raptors nesting on transmission pylons. African Wildlife 42(6): 326-327.
Boshoff, A. & Fabricius, C. 1986. Black Eagles nesting on man-made structures. Bokmakierie
38(3): 67-70.
Brown, C.J. & Lawson, J.L. 1989. Bird and electricity transmission lines in South West Africa/
Namibia. Madoqua 16(1): 59-67.
Dean, W.R.J. 1975. Martial Eagles nesting on high tension pylons. Ostrich 64: 116-117.
Harrison, J.A., Allan, D.G., Underhill, L.G., Herremans, M., Tree, A.J., Parker, V. & Brown, C.J.
(eds). 1997. The atlas of southern African birds. Vol. 1: Non-passerines. BirdLife South
Africa, Johannesburg.
Harrison, J.A., Allan, D.G., Underhill, L.G., Herremans, M., Tree, A.J., Parker, V. & Brown, C.J.
(eds). 1997. The atlas of southern African birds. Vol. 2: Passerines. BirdLife South Africa,
Johannesburg.
Kemp, A.C. 1972. The use of man-made structures for nesting sites by Lanner Falcons. Ostrich
43: 65-66.
Ledger, J. & Hobbs, J. 1985. First record of African Whitebacked Vulture nesting on man-made
structures. Bokmakierie 37(4): 99-101.
Ledger, J.A., Hobbs, J.C.A. & Smith, T.V. 1993. Avian interactions with utility structures:
Southern African experiences. Workshop: Avian interactions with utility structures. Miami,
USA.
Ledger, J., Hobbs, J. & Van Rensburg, D. 1987. First record of Black Eagles nesting on an
electricity transmission tower. African Wildlife 41(2): 60-66.
Maclean, G.L. 1993. Roberts birds of southern Africa. Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book
Fund, Cape Town.
Steenhof, K., Kochert, M.N. & Roppe, J.A. 1993. Nesting by raptors and common ravens on
electrical transmission line towers. J. Wildl. Manage. 57(2): 271-281.
Steyn, P. 1982. Birds of prey of southern Africa. David Philip, Cape Town.
Original document compiled and written for the Northern Cape by:
Mark D. Anderson
Ornithologist
26 January 1999
Reference:
Hockey, P.A.R., Dean, W.R.J. and Ryan, P.G. (Eds). 2005. Roberts Birds of Southern Africa (VIIth
Edition). John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town
A newly hatched Verreauxs Eagle chick is kept warm in a brooder while urgent work is done
on a structure. A permit is needed to work at raptors nests during the breeding season.
For assistance contact the Birds of Prey Programme of the Endangered Wildlife Trust
andreb@ewt.org.za
Table 2. The breeding seasons of raptors and crows that nest on artificial structures in
southern Africa. The shaded squares indicate months of the year that the species breed, while
the unshaded squares indicate the non-breeding period (i.e. time of the year that nests could
be removed).
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
African Fish-Eagle
African Hawk Eagle
Barn Owl
Black-shouldered
Kite
Booted Eagle
Cape Eagle Owl
Greater Kestrel
Jackal Buzzard
Lanner Falcon
Martial Eagle
Peregrine Falcon
Pygmy Falcon
Rock Kestrel
Secretarybird
Southern Pale
Chanting Goshawk
Spotted Eagle Owl
Tawny Eagle
Verreaux's Eagle
Verreaux's Eagle
Owl
White-backed
Vulture
Black Crow
Pied Crow
Contact details
Endangered Wildlife Trust - Birds of Prey Programme
Private Bag X11, Modderfontein, 1609, Gauteng
Tel: (011) 372 3600, Mobile: 082 962 5725,
Fax: (011) 608 4682
Website: www.ewt.org.za
Appendix F.3
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Content
Page
1. Introduction........................................................................................................................... 2
2. Requirements for the management of nests on power lines................................................... 2
3. Description of species known to breed on powerlines............................................................ 3
6. Problems associated with birds nesting on transmission structures ......................................11
7. Distinguishing between active and deserted nests................................................................12
8. Legal implications ................................................................................................................12
9. Management of nests on power lines ...................................................................................13
10. Flow diagram for suggested procedures for dealing with nests on transmission structures....16
11. Supporting Clauses .............................................................................................................17
13. Authorisation........................................................................................................................19
14. Revisions.............................................................................................................................19
Note: Concerns queries and comments on this document should be referred to the compiler
When downloaded from Transmission database, this document is uncontrolled, responsibility lies with
the user to ensure that it is the authorised version
When downloaded from the EDC website, this document is uncontrolled and the responsibility rests with the user to ensure it is in line
with the authorised version on the website. Note: This document has not been through the EDC processes prior to authorisation.
BIRD NESTING GUIDELINES Reference: TGL41-333
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1. Introduction
Birds use electrical structures on which to roost and nest for a variety of reasons. The
purpose of this document is to enable the reader to correctly identify birds and their
nests and provide guidelines to the user on ways of dealing with this phenomenon in
a manner that will reflect Eskoms stance on the environment as well as to prevent
disruption of power to customers.
There are a variety of reasons for birds using electricity structures for nesting. The
most likely reasons being:
Lack of alternative nesting sites such as trees and cliffs. Large trees do not
occur in many areas of South Africa. In these areas, many birds take advantage
of electrical structures as they offer a very suitable alternative.
Safe and sturdy substrate. Electricity structures offer a sturdy platform for birds
to build their nests, especially in areas where the natural substrate is unsuitable
or scarce. In these circumstances, birds often deliberately choose electricity
structures over natural sites.
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3.1. Crows
Nesting habits: Black Crows make sturdy, basket shaped nests (400-600mm in
diameter) on a variety of man-made structures, including electricity towers and in
substations. In common with many crow species, it may incorporate many man-made
objects into the nest like strips of plastic, cloth, wire, metal strapping, rope and bale
twine. Black Crow nests are usually easily recognized by the amount of foreign
objects woven into the nest substrate. They breed from September to April. Four pink
eggs are usually laid. Other species, like Lanner Falcons and Greater Kestrels, often
make use of an abandoned crow's nest to breed in. The Black Crows is a territorial
species.
Pied Crows are highly adaptable birds and thrive in close association with humans.
Their numbers have increased to pest proportions in areas where the degradation of
the habitat is severe.
Nesting habits: See discussion under Black Crow. Pied Crows (even more so than
Black Crows) often incorporate lots of wire in their nests, and even make them
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entirely out of wire. This wire collecting habit poses a flashover threat. Four blue eggs
are usually laid. The Pied Crow is a territorial species.
4. Raptors
Often confused with the smaller Blackbreasted Snake Eagle, but distinguished by
their spotted (not plain white) bellies and feathered (not bare) legs.
Nesting habits: Martial Eagles are the largest eagles in Africa and build an
enormous nest (2m in diametre) usually in a fork of a large tree. In treeless habitats,
Martial Eagles often breed on transmission and sub-transmission structures. The nest
is made of large sticks and is a sturdy structure that will last for years. Pairs are very
territorial and often use more than one nest. Breeding usually takes place from May
to November. Usually two eggs are laid, but only a single chick is raised. Prey
remains (steenbok, meerkat) often accumulate below nest. Highly territorial.
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Nesting habits: Normally breeds in thorn trees, but also on powerlines. Nest is about
400 mm in diameter and often lined with sheep wool. Breeds July to April. Two eggs
are laid, but usually only one chick is raised. A territorial species. The photos above
highlight the fact that raptor chicks and adults differ considerably
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Nesting habits: Breeds June to November (peak July-August).No nest is built; but
makes use of a scrape on the ledge of cliff or building, or in old nest of crow, raptor or
heron in tree, on cliff or on power pylon. A territorial species.
Nesting habits: Makes use of the nest of a crow or raptor in tall trees, telephone pole or
power pylon. Breeds July to January (peak in October); time of laying positively
correlated with rainfall in immediately preceding months. A territorial species.
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Nesting habits: Breeds all months. Nest is a small platform of sticks, about 300mm
diameter and 100 mm thick, lined with grass may use old nest of another species
such as a crows nest on a powerline.
5. Other
Egyptian Goose
Hadeda Ibis
Large birds such as eagles and vultures use large sticks to build their nests. These
sticks can exceed 1 metre in length in the case of large species like Black Eagles and
Martial Eagles. These nests are very sturdy and can stay in shape for many years, if
used annually by the birds. However, it sometimes happens that large sticks protrude
below the nest. These sticks can constitute an air gap intrusion between the
conductor and the earthed structure, which causes a flashover during wet conditions.
6.2. Flashovers caused by bird streamers from the occupants of the nest
Raptors and other large birds such as herons and hadedas defecate by projecting a
stream of excreta clear of the nest. If the nest is situated in a critical area above the
conductor, a streamer by a bird on or near the nest can cause an air gap breakdown
and result in a flashover.
6.3. Flashovers caused by bird pollution from the occupants of the nest
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Another problem associated with bird nests is pollution of the insulator strings with
excreta. If the nest is situated above an insulator string, the disks may get polluted
and experience breakdown in insulation.
6.4. Fire
When nests cause flashovers, the nesting material may catch fire. This in turn can
lead to equipment damage or a general veld fire. Apart from the cost of replacing
damaged equipment, the resultant veld fire can lead to claims for damages from
landowners.
Whitewash on the nest, the infrastructure around and below the nest, and on
the ground below the nest.
Prey remains (skulls, feathers, skin, bones) and regurgitated pellets in and
below the nest (in the case of raptors)
The presence of nestlings or eggs (only during the breeding season)
Nest cup containing greenery
The presence of birds on and in the immediate vicinity of the nest
A deserted nest lacks all of the above and is often in a state of disintegration.
8. Legal implications
Actions that are taken with regard to nesting birds on powerlines could have legal
implications. The legal position with regard to the protection of birds is governed
mainly by various provincial ordinances and nature conservation acts, all of which
broadly concur. The situation with regards to birds nesting on powerlines could be
summarized as follows:
All birds are protected by law, except those specifically excluded from this
protection.
Of birds commonly nesting on powerlines, only Pied Crows, Black Crows and
Egyptian Geese are excluded from the protection of the law.
No protected bird species (breeding or non-breeding) may be willfully
disturbed in any way, without a permit from the relevant provincial authority. In
some instances, this permit may only be requested by the owner of the land
where the activity will take place.
The meaning of willfully disturbed is not explained in the various ordinances.
The destruction of an active nest (see definition above) of a protected species,
would most likely fall within the ambit of the term willfully disturbed, especially
if the nest contained eggs or nestlings. The destruction of a deserted nest
should not fall within the ambit of the term willful disturbance.
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The implications of the above legislation are that a permit is required for any activity
that wilfully disturbs protected bird species on powerlines. This is especially relevant
for activities that will take place during the breeding season when most of the nests
are occupied.
In the case of active raptors nests, nest removal is not a very desirable option, for
various reasons:
In order to remove an active raptor nest, a permit must be obtained from the
relevant provincial authorities. It is unlikely that permission will be granted
easily for removal without any alternative mitigation measures to accommodate
the birds.
Nest removal is not a permanent solution, because the birds could rebuild the
nest in the same place or elsewhere and cause fresh problems.
Several raptor species are threatened, and the removal of their nests could
results in breeding failure or abandonment of the area.
Bad public relations. Many landowners cherish their raptors and are very
protective of them.
If the nest is deserted, nest removal could be an effective remedy, and no
permit will be required.
When an active raptor nest poses a problem to the power supply because of nest
material intruding into the air gap, future problems can be avoided by trimming any
sticks from time to time that could potentially cause flashovers. The advantages of
this approach are:
Minimum interference with the birds' breeding activities (if performed outside
the breeding season)
Less invasive than nest relocation, therefore less chance of birds deserting the
nest.
The potential problem is contained on the structure where the nest is located
Good public relations
NB. If the activity takes place during the breeding season, a permit will be
required from the provincial authorities.
If an active nest poses a chronic and serious risk to the power supply, either through
nest material or streamers from the occupants of the nest, it may be necessary to
shift the nest to a different structure or to a different place on the structure. Relocation
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of raptor nests can be successful if is used in conjunction with a nesting platform and
bird guards is placed in the area from where the nest was removed to prevent them
from rebuilding the nest at the same spot. Ideally the nesting platform must be placed
in an area that has plenty of shade and leaves the bird sufficient space to access the
nest. The advantages of this approach are:
Long term solution
Minimum interference with the birds' breeding activities, if done outside
breeding season
The potential problem is removed, without impacting on the birds' breeding
success.
Good public relations
NB. A permit will be required from the provincial authorities to perform a nest
relocation.
Research is currently underway in the Western Cape to determine how raptor nests
can be successfully shifted to locations on the poles where the nests will not interfere
with the electricity supply. Prototypes of nesting platforms have been developed and
are currently being tested for effectiveness.
When any form of work (maintenance, nest trimming, nest relocation) is required on a
transmission tower containing an active raptor nest, eggs or nestlings, a conflict of
interest between the utility crew and the breeding raptors is more than likely.
The following steps shall be taken to accommodate the interest of both parties:
If the work is not urgent, it should be postponed untill after the breeding season
If work has to be performed in the breeding season, a relevant permit must first
be obtained from the provincial authority beforehand.
Field staff report that flashovers resulting from crows nests are often associated with
flashmarks on the bottom two insulators. Crows are not protected by law and their
nests may be removed without a permit. However, this is not recommended for active
nests for the following reasons:
Some raptor species make use of crow's nests. In such a case, the nest is
regarded as a raptor nest and may not be removed, unless a permit is
obtained from the relevant provincial authority.
Removal of the nest will trigger nest building behaviour from the crows and
the problem will soon re-appear in the same spot or elsewhere if no
additional mitigation measures are taken.
If the nest is deserted, nest removal could be an effective remedy.
Advantages:
10. Flow diagram for suggested procedures for dealing with nests on
transmission structures
Bird nest on transmission
structures
12.1. Scope
This guideline describes the important species that nest on Transmission structures, the identification
of the birds and their nests as well as their management.
12.1.1. Purpose
The purpose of this document is to guide the management of bird nests found on Transmission
structures within the Law and good environmental management principles.
12.1.2. Applicability
This document shall apply to all Transmission structures where bird nests are found.
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Parties using this guideline shall apply the most recent edition of the documents listed below:
12.2.1. Normative
12.3. Definitions
Active nest: The nest forms the core of the territory occupied by a resident pair of
birds and it is used by them for breeding purposes. The nest may or may not contain
eggs or nestlings, depending on the stage in the breeding cycle.
Deserted nest: The nest is located within a vacant territory and is not used at all. NB:
A NEST WITHOUT EGGS OR NESTLINGS DOES NOT MEAN IT IS PER
DEFINITION DESERTED.
12.4. Abbreviations
none
The Line and Servitude Managers shall be responsible for the implementation of these guidelines.
The Line and Servitude Managers shall be responsible for monitoring compliance to this document in
their respective Grids.
N/a
BIRD NESTING GUIDELINES Reference: TGL41-333
Revision: 0
Page: 19 Of 19
13. Authorisation
This document has been seen and accepted by:
Name Designation
W. Majola GM (Services)
J. Machinjike GM (Grids)
14. Revisions
Date Rev. Remarks
November 2006 0 Review document and update to new format remain rev.
0 because of the new reference number
Total pages: 1 Of 10
Revision date: November 2009
Content
Page
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 2
2 Document Content .................................................................................................................. 2
3 Supporting Clauses................................................................................................................. 7
4 Authorisation........................................................................................................................... 9
5 Revisions ................................................................................................................................ 9
6 Development team .................................................................................................................11
Note: Concerns queries and comments on this document should be referred to the compiler
When downloaded from Transmission database, this document is uncontrolled, responsibility lies
with the user to ensure that it is the authorised version
When downloaded from the EDC website, this document is uncontrolled and the responsibility rests with the user to ensure it is in line
with the authorised version on the website. Note: This document has not been through the EDC processes prior to authorisation.
TRANSMISSION BIRD COLLISION Reference: TGL41-335
PREVENTION GUIDELINE Revision: 0
Page: 2 Of 10
1. Introduction
A bird collision incident happens when a bird physically strikes either the overhead conductor or
the overhead ground wire of a power line. In the case of transmission lines, the overhead ground
wire is usually involved. It is generally accepted that birds can usually avoid the highly visible
bundled conductors but often fail to see the thin ground wire. In South Africa, bird collisions with
transmission lines are a major form of unnatural mortality among several threatened species.
Research is ongoing to attempt to gauge the effect of this form of mortality on these species,
especially cranes. Preliminary results indicate that the mortality could be unsustainable for
regional populations of species such as Blue Cranes in the central Karoo.
Unfortunately, many of the collision sensitive species are considered threatened in southern
Africa. The graph below shows the number of collisions reported per species on transmission
lines from August 1996 to present (EWT unpublished data). Most of the heavily affected species
are Red Data species. It should be noted that these are only the reported mortalities, it is
suspected that a large number of mortalities go unreported. It is also important to note that the
mortalities recorded by Anderson (2001) as discussed below are not included in the graph below.
90
80
70
60
50
# mortalities
40
30
20
10
0
Greater Flamingo
Jackal Buzzard
Black-headed Heron
Corncrake
Grey Heron
Egyptian Goose
Lesser Flamingo
Martial Eagle
Denham's Bustard
Cattle Egret
Blue Crane
Greater Kestrel
White-faced Duck
White Stork
Sacred Ibis
Unknown
Tawny Eagle
Crowned Crane
Kori Bustard
Cape Vulture
Secretarybird
SA Shelduck
Spur-winged Goose
Yellow-billed Duck
Lappet-faced Vulture
Ludwig's Bustard
African White-backed Vulture
Although significant in itself, figure 2 is not a true reflection of the extent of the problem, because
few of the collision localities were closely monitored over a substantial period of time. Where long
term monitoring did happen, the picture is disturbing. In one instance, where bi-monthly
monitoring did take place, a single 10 km section of 132kV distribution line killed 59 Blue Cranes,
29 Ludwigs Bustard, and 13 White Storks in a three year period (van Rooyen unpubl. data). In
2004, fifty-four Blue Crane carcasses were discovered near Graaf-Reinett in the Northern Cape
province under 3.7km of distribution line.
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Data collected in the Northern Cape province between 1997 and 1999 provides further evidence
of the gravity of the problem. During an initial clearing of transects, a total of 194 large bird
carcasses were found under 40km of Transmission line (220 and 400kV) near De Aar in the
Northern Cape. Subsequent monitoring of 140 km of power lines (transects of 10km each from
22kV up to 400kV) in the same area over a period of 12 months produced another 196 carcasses
(mostly cranes and bustards) the majority under transmission lines (Anderson 2001).
The Red Data species vulnerable to power line collisions are generally long-lived, slow
reproducing species under natural conditions. Some require very specific conditions for breeding,
resulting in very few successful breeding attempts, or breeding might be restricted to very small
areas. A good example of this is the two flamingo species that occur in southern Africa, which
have experienced hardly any successful breeding attempts at Etosha Pan in Namibia for several
decades. Another example is the Great White Pelican that only breeds successfully at Dassen
Island in the Western Cape. These species have not evolved to cope with high adult mortality,
with the results that consistent high adult mortality over an extensive period could have a serious
effect on a populations ability to sustain itself in the long or even medium term. Many of the
anthropogenic threats to these species are non-discriminatory as far as age is concerned (e.g.
habitat destruction, disturbance and power lines) and therefore contribute to adult mortality, and it
is not known what the cumulative effect of these impacts could be over the long term.
Using Vortex computer modelling, the South African Crane Working Group estimated that
an annual mortality rate of 150 adult Blue Cranes could reduce the eastern population of
Blue Cranes (app. 2000 individuals in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal) by 90% by the end
of the 21st century (McCann et.al. 2001). At that stage the population would be functionally
extinct.
From the figures quoted above, it is clear that power lines are a major cause of avian mortality
among power line sensitive species, especially Red Data species. Furthermore, the cumulative
effects of power lines and other sources of unnatural mortality might only manifest itself decades
later, when it might be too late to reverse the trend. It is therefore imperative to reduce any form of
unnatural mortality in these species, regardless of how insignificant it might seem at the present
moment in time.
3. Solutions to the problem of bird collisions.
3.1. Background
A measure that has been proved to be reasonably successful in reducing collisions is to fit the
earth wire with anti-collision devices.
Success rates of up to 60% reduction in mortality and even more have been documented (Ferrer
and Janns, 1999). There are several devices available in southern Africa for the marking of power
lines. These devices will be described below and the advantages and disadvantages discussed.
The fitting of the marking devices are typically done from a helicopter, which adds considerably to
the cost of any project.
Static devices are mechanically more durable than dynamic devices because they lack the
element of wear and tear that moving parts inevitably have. However, in South Africa, static
devices, particularly the so called Bird Flight Diverter (also known as the pigtail) has had limited
success (Anderson 2001). The most obvious reason seems to be that they are simply less
visible, especially the small ones (see figure 5). A better option would be to use the bigger pigtail
(see figure 5, right), although it is still not the preferred option.
Large pigtail
Small
Pigtail
s
Dynamic devices (usually called bird flappers), have moving parts as opposed to static devices
where there are none.. Dynamic devices are very effective in reducing collisions as the birds
seem to see them very well (van Rooyen unp. data) probably because of the movement that
attracts attention. The disadvantage of dynamic devices is that they are subject to extensive wear
and tear, inevitably limiting the lifespan of the device. Wear could result on the device itself as well
as on the cable to which it is attached.
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A new product that shows great potential is the Inotec BFD88, a reflective stainless steel sphere
of 70mm diameter. Experiments have shown the visibility of this device to be superior to coloured
(red, yellow, white, black) objects especially during the low light conditions at dawn and dusk
when birds may be flying from roosting areas to feeding areas and back. Due to the spherical
shape, the device reflects any available light in all directions and is therefore visible from all
directions including above or below the diverter. The diverter does not require direct sunlight and
is effective during overcast conditions and the low light conditions before sunrise and after sunset
(Van Rooyen, pers obs.) When viewed during these low light conditions the device is particularly
visible against dark backgrounds such as the ground, trees or high ground. It is also particularly
visible against bright cloud when viewed from below.
Research in the Netherlands has shown that spacing intervals have a major influence on the
effectiveness of anti-collision devices. In South Africa, the same has been found. See Figure
7777Figure 77 for a suggested marking method with Bird Flappers. In the case of the Inotec
BFD88 diverters, a similar 5 metre interval is suggested.
5m 5m 5m 5m
NB. It is important to alternate the colours (yellow-white) in order for maximum contrast.
Only the middle 60% of each span needs to be marked as this is where most of
the collisions occur.
Tower Tower
A specific problem is posed by birds that fly at night, for example flamingos that migrate great
distances at night. A device is available for this problem, namely the Mace Bird Lite, which is a
Perspex tube with a fluorescent tube inside.
3.1 Scope
This document covers the subject of bird colliding with Transmission lines.
3.1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this document is to describe the problem of bird collisions with transmission lines
and to indicate which mitigation methods are available to address the problem.
.1.2 Applicability
Parties using this guideline shall apply the most recent edition of the documents listed below
3.2.1 Normative
Anderson, M.D. 2001. The effectiveness of two different marking devices to reduce large
terrestrial bird collisions with overhead electricity cables in the eastern Karoo, South Africa. Draft
report to Eskom Resources and Strategy Division. Johannesburg. South Africa.
Alonso J A and Alonso J C, Mitigation of bird collisions with transmission lines through groundwire
marking. In: Ferrer M and Janss F E (eds), Birds and powerlines, Quercus, Madrid, 1999, pp113
124.
Alonso J A and Alonso J C, Collision of birds with overhead transmission lines in Spain. In: Ferrer
M and Janss F E (eds), Birds and powerlines, Quercus, Madrid, 1999, pp57 - 82.
Van Rooyen, C.S. 2004. The Management of Wildlife Interactions with overhead lines. In The
fundamentals and practice of Overhead Line Maintenance (132kV and above), pp217-245. Eskom
Technology, Services International, Johannesburg.
3.2.2 Informative
Barnes, K.N. (ed.) 1998. The Important Bird Areas of southern Africa. BirdLife South Africa:
Johannesburg.
Barnes, K.N. (ed.) 2000. The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and
Swaziland. BirdLife South Africa: Johannesburg.
Harrison, J.A., Allan, D.G., Underhill, L.G., Herremans, M., Tree, A.J., Parker, V and Brown, C.J.
(eds). 1997. The atlas of southern African birds. Vol. 1&2. BirdLife South Africa: Johannesburg.
McCann, K., Morrison, K., Byers, A., Miller, P. & Friedman, Y. (eds). 2001. Population and Habitat
Viability Analysis for the Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradiseus). Conservation Breeding Specialist
Group (SA), Endangered Wildlife Trust, Johannesburg.
Van Rooyen, C.S. and Ledger, J.A. 1999. Birds and utility structures: Developments in southern
Africa in Ferrer, M. & G..F.M. Janns. (eds.) Birds and Power lines. Quercus: Madrid, Spain, pp
205-230
Van Rooyen, C.S. 1999. An overview of the Eskom - EWT Strategic Partnership in South Africa.
(EPRI Workshop on Avian Interactions with Utility Structures 2-3 December 1999, Charleston,
South Carolina.)
Van Rooyen, C.S. 2003. Mitigation programme for Avian Collisions with Eskom Transmission
Lines. Unpublished Progress Report, September 2003. Endangered Wildlife Trust, Johannesburg,
South Africa.
Avian Powerline Interaction Committee (APLIC), Mitigating Bird Collisions with Power Lines: The
State of the Art in 1994. Edison Electric Institute, Washington D.C. 1994, pp77.
TRANSMISSION BIRD COLLISION Reference: TGL41-335
PREVENTION GUIDELINE Revision: 0
Page: 9 Of 10
Williams A J and Velasquez C, Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus rubber. In: The atlas of southern
African birds, Volume 1: Non-passerines, Harrison, J.A., Allan, D.G., Underhill, L.G., Herremans,
M., Tree, A.J., Parker, V & Brown, C.J. (eds). BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg, 1997, pp112 -
113.
3.3 Definitions
N/A
3.4 Abbreviations
EWT: Endangered Wildlife Trust
The Line and Servitude managers of each Grid shall be responsible to ensure compliance with
this document.
The line and Servitude managers of each grids shall monitor servitudes for evidence of bird
collisions and inform the EWT accordingly.
n/a
4 Authorisation
This document has been seen and accepted by:
Name Designation
W Majola GM (Services)
J. Machinjike GM (Grids)
5 Revisions
Date Rev. Remarks
6 Development team
C,v Rooyen
H.F.Vosloo
P.Marais
C.Pelser
L. Stubbs
R Chinzvende
R. Bekker (S. Mansingh)
J.Correia (Ravi Govender)
B Vockerodt
W. Mtungwa (B Phewa)
Appendix F.5
The principle to be followed in perch management is not to prevent birds from roosting on
towers, but rather to prevent them from roosting on critical parts of the tower only. The
provision of adequate alternative roosting space on the tower will enhance the success of the
intervention.
In generic terms, an electrical fault is caused by pollution, coupled with appropriate moisture,
when pollutant build-up takes place on the insulator disks. The coating of pollutant (which
could range from marine, agricultural or industrial pollution or to bird droppings) compromises
the insulation properties of the insulator and under appropriate wet conditions, a phase-earth
flashover may result across the insulator string.
In the case of a bird streamer induced fault, the fault normally initiates on the live hardware
and it propagates vertically towards the tower. The fault appears to flash across the air gap
and does not follow an insulator creepage path as observed on pollution faults.
Insulation
Air gap
breakdown arc
breakdown
path
arc path
3. Typical indicators of a bird streamer faulting problem
The flash marks of a bird streamer fault is highly characteristic, but difficult to spot. Typically,
the flash marks will be situated on the steelwork directly above the live hardware and at the
live end of the insulator string, i.e. on the yoke plate, first insulator disk or corona ring. There
are no burn marks at the dead end of the insulator as would be the case with a
pollution-induced fault. In the case of strain towers, the burn marks are similarly situated on
the jumper cable and on the tower steelwork directly above.
Bird
droppingsof Dassie skull
3.9. Seasonality faults
Seasonal upsurges in faults are often related to an influx of migratory or nomadic birds into an
area. In South Africa, with a temperate climate, the onset of summer (the rainy season for
most of the country) is associated with a significant increase in bird numbers and bird
streamer faults. As a result of the highly dynamic nature of the presence of bird in the vicinity
of power lines, it is recommended that a stock of bird guards be kept by the Region to permit
fast response when bird faults present themselves on lines not fitted with bird guards.
4. Fitting strategies
The tower design plays a major role with respect to bird streamer related faults. Vertically
configured designs with ample perching space on top of the tower away from the cross-
arms, experience fewer faults than horizontally configured designs. The reason for this is that
with the latter, the birds roost relatively closer to the conductors, therefore increasing the risk
of flashovers. With the former, depending on the design, the birds first utilize the available
space on top of the tower, thereby reducing the risk of flashovers. Similarly, almost no bird
streamer faulting is experienced on the cross-rope suspension type towers, presumably
due to the unavailability of convenient perching space for birds above the conductors.
Transmission uses a variety of tower designs, with each design having as much as ten
variations. As a result, broad guidelines will be given in this document. Final fitting strategies
will have to be confirmed with subject specialist for final vetting.
Horizontal strain towers are the most vulnerable to streamer faults, followed by horizontal
suspension towers. Delta towers are generally much less vulnerable with suspension towers
being the least vulnerable.
Initial research showed that air gaps of just under one-meter, on either side of the conductor
would need to be protected from potential bird streamers. Because bird guards are made in
lengths of 500mm, 750mm and 1000mm for practical reasons, fitting them one meter on both
sides of the centerline of the conductor has become the standard at all voltages. (Refer to
critical distance in picture below). No gap of greater than 150mm should be left between two
adjacent bird guards.
A distance of one meter either side of the conductor is regarded as critical in protection
against streamer faults.
Experience revealed that faults occurred on the outer phases where the landing
plates were not fully protected, which left roosting space for birds. Care must be
taken not to leave any roosting space at the outer phase extremes of towers.
Faults have also occurred where birds had entered and roosted inside the boat of the
tower. Hadeda Ibis and Black Eagle in particular have been observed exploiting the
inside of the boat or lattice member within the critical area, which was not fitted with
bird guards.
2m
Picture of an example of insufficient fitting on inside of boat indicated by the red arrows
Comprehensive fitting strategy as implemented on the Hendrina-Kriel 400kV line
Whilst a comprehensive fitting strategy is the safest, it also carries a high cost.
Results from partial fitting were generally good when comparing risk of streamer fault
with cost of installation. It must be pointed out that dependable knowledge of the
habitat through which the line runs is critical when partial fitting of a line is
contemplated.
The decision to fit bird guards to a line is in the first instance an economical one. It is
based on
the dip sensitive load that the line carries and the effect that these faults are
having on the customers and
the number of bird faults that it experiences (determined from its fault history) ,
Secondly, the habitat through which the line passes and the bird species present in
that habitat, and more specifically their behaviour, influences the macro fitting
strategy. Bird behaviour refers to aspects such as migration, feeding and roosting
habits. Habitat refers to topography, land use, and type and availability of food
sources. The help of subject specialist should be used in this regard.
It has been reported that where bird guards resulted in a decrease of roosting space,
birds have moved to adjacent lines and streamer faults have occurred there. The
increase in bird (and streamer faults) must however also be seen against the
influence of wet weather cycles or other phenomena and the general increase in bird
population numbers for an area. It is recommended that these factors be considered
where unfitted lines run adjacent to the targeted line.
5. Bird guard Specifications
The device required is intended to prevent birds from perching on designated areas of power
pylons. It should consist of a square base with upright prongs and should be made from a
long life, non-conductive material and should not pose any danger to live line workers or
birds. An organic polymer such as high-density polyethylene should be used. These polymers
should be treated to enable it to withstand typical environmental conditions found in South
Africa for a period in excess of 15 years.
5.3. Dimensions
The device should come in three lengths: 500mm, 750mm and 1000mm. The vertical rods
should be about 500mm high, with a spacing of between 125-190mm and an outside
diameter of about 20mm. The base should have dimensions of 40mmx40mm.
Unannounced, random samples of the materials may be taken during the processing for
testing. Contracts will be terminated with any manufacturer that does not comply with the
quality standards, and costs will be recovered for the removal and refitting of bird guards of a
suitable quality. Ciba can do analysis of samples.
Rapid aging and other tests will be required that will indicate the specific properties of the
device. Refer to details below. The device should be mechanically sound.
An ongoing programme should be followed to observe and track any deterioration of bird
guards
6. Attachment Methods
The preferred method of fitting bird guards is by means of stainless steel straps 12,74mm x
0,7mm. This method is effective but has the disadvantage that the guards can only be
removed during live line work by cutting the strap. This results in a situation where in some
instances bird guards are removed and not replaced by live line teams (damage to bird
guards caused during the installation of optical fibre cables have been reported). Poor
attachment has been observed as the single biggest reason for failure of bird guards.
In order to facilitating live-line work, quick release straps were designed and manufactured by
a number of suppliers.
The number of straps per bird guard varies depending on the specific tower, size of the
member and the position on the tower. Installers should ensure that the bird guard is securely
attached to the tower member. As a general rule the following guidelines may be used:
These straps permit the partial removal of the bird guard by relaxing the tension on the strap
and by pushing the guard out of the way but without causing it to fall from the tower. Upon
completion of the work, the bird guard is returned into position and the strap is re-tensioned.
Bird guards may selectively be attached by means of a quick release mechanism in areas
where live line work is anticipated. This mechanism should enable live line workers to move
the bird guard out of the way but without the device being able to drop from the top of the
tower or onto the conductors.
Alternative UV protected polymer straps are also used by overseas companies.
7. Supporting Clauses
NOT APPLICABLE.
8.1. Scope
This document serves as a guideline with regards to the management of perching and
roosting behaviour of large birds on Transmission lines. The presence of large birds and the
associated streamer activity has a profound impact on quality of supply.
8.1.1. Purpose
The document helps the reader to identify streamer problems and suggests mitigation
measures. It also specifies dimensions, materials and the attachment methods of bird guards.
8.1.2. Applicability
Parties using this guideline shall apply the most recent edition of the documents listed below :
8.2.1. Normative
8.2.2. Informative
Give sources of further information referenced in your document e.g. laws, standards, codes,
procedures, etc Research docs, Derek Hoch and Streve Piper.
8.3. Definitions
Perch management
This term refers to the method of managing the roosting and perching behaviour of large birds
on transmission and other structures. It is applied to prevent streamer faults and
electrocutions on smaller lines. It is also used in conjunction with the management of nests on
power lines. Whilst not intended, perch management also results in reduced pollution of
insulators. Perch management is also used to prevent birds such as vultures from causing
damage to fibre optic cables.
Micro fitting strategy
This term refers to the positioning of bird guards on specific parts of the tower.
This decision will be based on the particular design of the tower as well as the bird species
that are targeted.
8.4. Abbreviations
none
The Line and Servitude Managers for each Grid shall be responsible for the installation of any
bird guards in their respective Grids.
The Line and Servitude Managers for each Grid shall be responsible for the monitoring of the
adherence to this guideline.
9. Authorisation
This document has been seen and accepted by:
Name Designation
W Majola GM (Services)
J Machinjike GM (Grids)
10. Revisions
Date Rev. Remarks
Hi Gina,
I have browsed through the report and I am satisfied with the preferred corridors from a technical perspective.
Regards,
Thanks John. Sanjeev, if you could also just have a look at the 3 options in the report that are proposed to be taken into the
scoping phase and let me know if there are any major problems with them from a design/financial point of view.
Thanks a million!
Regards,
Gina Martin
Environmental Scientist, Jones & Wagener
I have gone through the report and it looks fine. At this point I do not have anything to add, must admit I did not
spend hours on it. I will pass it on to Sanjeev for him to also peruse.
John
Hi John,
Please find the draft KiPower Power Lines Route Selection Report on the FTP site in the REP folder, for your comment. Please
could you provide us with any comments you may have by Friday 26 June 2015.
Instructions for accessing the FTP site are below. If you have problems accessing the site, please let me know so that alternative
arrangements can be made.
Portal: ftp://ftp.jaws.co.za/
Username: F175_KiPowerPowerline
Password: HHB5kP5S
1. The project name and password is unique to the project. (there is a file called do_not_delete_mypass)
2. Once you have logged in you will see the project home page with a number of directories.
3. Access to all files stored on the server is read only, except files in the UPLOAD directory.
4. Files can be uploaded to the server by placing them in the UPLOAD directory.
5. For uploading files you will need to use a FTP client program such as filezilla or Total Commander.
You can download filezilla from www.filezilla.org
6. The following minimum list of directories on the server for the project are abbreviations for:
The information will be sorted accord to the directories (Some of the default directories may have no files).
Please feel free to forward this email on to any other team members you feel should contribute.
Regards,
Gina Martin
Environmental Scientist, Jones & Wagener
2
C +27 72 997 8935 | T +27 11 519 0200 | gina@jaws.co.za
P O Box 1434 Rivonia 2128 South Africa | www.jaws.co.za
NB: This Email and its contents are subject to the Eskom Holdings SOC Limited EMAIL LEGAL NOTICE
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NB: This Email and its contents are subject to the Eskom Holdings SOC Limited EMAIL LEGAL NOTICE
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