CAQA Gridworks Networks
CAQA Gridworks Networks is an electricity supply industry contractor that builds, inspects, maintains and operates transmission lines, distribution networks, zone substations and rail traction overhead systems on behalf of network owners and a metropolitan rail operator. Crews work on energised and de-energised high voltage and low voltage apparatus, string conductors on steel towers, joint underground cables, treat and replace poles, control vegetation near powerlines and maintain the 1,500 volt direct current overhead wiring that powers suburban trains. The business also runs a network operations centre that issues access authorities, develops and directs switching programs, and monitors the network by supervisory control and data acquisition for its clients.
The business is organised into six departments across three depots. Overhead Distribution, Underground Cables and Network Operations, Safety and Training are based at the Ballarat central depot, which also houses the network operations centre staffed around the clock. Transmission Lines and Substations and Protection work from the Traralgon eastern depot near the transmission corridor to the Latrobe Valley. Rail Traction operates from the Sunshine depot on night possessions when trains are not running. Field crews work a nine day fortnight with a rostered storm response standby, and the operations centre runs three shifts.
Gridworks works under the Electricity Safety Act in Victoria, the bushfire mitigation and electric line clearance regulations, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Rail Safety National Law for traction work and the network safety rules of each client. Every worker holds the authorisation for the work they perform, recorded on the authorised persons register, and no work proceeds on network apparatus without an access authority or permit issued by the operations centre. The business runs a safety management system with daily tailgate briefings, elevated work platform and pole top rescue drills, incident investigation, quarterly internal audits and an annual management review with each client.