Safety Spotter vs Safety Observer

A safety observer

Many people use the term Safety Spotter and Safety Observer inter-changeably, when describing the role of the person guiding the operator in safe movement of mobile plant.

Whilst neither of these two terms is prescribed in Australian workplace safety regulations, the Industry Standard on elevating work platforms, dated April 2021 by WorkSafe Victoria, assigns different meanings to each term, per below.

Safety Observer is a worker with line of sight who helps direct the operator with safe movement of mobile plant in the workplace, including loading and unloading from transport, but is not necessarily qualified to guide movement in proximity to overhead powerlines.

Safety / Electrical Spotter is a specifically trained and qualified to guide the operator in proximity (eg within 6.4m of LV on poles) to overhead powerlines. The spotter must have completed an approved training course and be registered with the state electrical authority eg Hold a Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) electrical spotter card.

Example of No Go and Spotter Zone for powerlines on pole

In order to remember which term is which, get used to using the terms:

a)    Electrical Spotter, and

b)    Safety Observer