Farmers are warned to Look Up - It's Live

Northern Powergrid the company that powers everyday life for 8,000,000 people across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, has launched its Look Up Its Live campaign to remind farmers of the very real dangers of working near power lines and what to do in an emergency if they come too close to, or make contact with power lines.

Northern Powergrid’s Safety Engineer Andrew Dudman, said: “Agriculture may have the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK but there are signs that this is improving and we want to be part of this change. It’s in all our interest to take safety seriously.

“Cables on our wooden poles can carry voltages of up 132,000 volts and it vital that farmers, and farm workers, are aware of where power lines are on their land when working and fully risk access each and every time they use machinery near our equipment. Electricity can jump gaps so it important to remember that you don’t need to make contact to risk a fatal electric shock.

“Anyone driving agricultural vehicles should be extra vigilant and carry a mobile phone at all times and store 105, the number to call in an emergency.

“During Farm Safety Week we’re asking farmers to refresh themselves on our simple safety advice and spread the word to colleagues and seasonal workers and get our free safety packs which contain an in-cab sticker and air freshener which have vital safety advice about what to do in an emergency.”

Farming accounts for 1.5 percent of the economy but 20 percent of all workplace deaths, according to the HSE’s annual work-related fatalities in 2019/20 report.

Staying safe near power lines

- Inform anyone working near power lines of the dangers and the action they should take in an emergency.

- Remember you don’t need to make contact with a power line to be in danger. Electricity can jump to an object or person – so stay well clear!

- Ground levels may have changed since your last visit, reducing clearance. Risk assess every situation, on every occasion.

- Always carry a mobile phone and store 105, the number to call in an emergency.

- What to do in an emergency

- Drive well clear if safe to do so and call 105.

- If unsafe to drive clear – stay in the cab, call 105, and warn others to stay clear.

- If unsafe to stay in cab – jump well clear. Do not step down or make contact with the vehicle and the ground at the same time.

- Leaping strides – Land with both feet together and make leaping strides away, so that one foot is always off the ground.Warn others to stay clear. Damaged power lines can stay live or become live at any time without warning.

Northern Powergrid, is encouraging farmers to request their free safety packs during Farm Safety Week, which contain copies of safety advice leaflets, a cab sticker and an air freshener – which all have potentially lifesaving advice about what to do if you come into contact or too close to power lines.

The free packs are available by visiting northernpowergrid.com/safety or by emailing [email protected].