Danger of power lines reiterated

The electricity industry has called for safer working on farms in light of the fact more than 1,000 incidents with overhead power lines were reported on UK farms in the past five years.

The Energy Networks Association (Ena), which represents UK electricity network operators, has launched an awareness campaign, Look Out Look Up!, in response to the number of incidents involving overhead power lines in farms and fields.

Research carried out by the association reveals more than 85% of people never worry about getting too close to an overhead power line, despite the potentially fatal consequences if contact occurs.

Meanwhile, data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveals that in the past five years there were five deaths and 1,140 near-miss incidents involving machinery and farm equipment touching overhead power lines on UK farms.

It said during a four-week period in the harvest 2017 season, 39 incidents were reported making the potential risk at harvest of more than one fatality per day.

Ena said the risk to farmers and farm workers was high all year round and not just at harvest.

Every year around 225 incidents are reported where farm vehicles and machinery make contact with overhead lines – these typically involve equipment such as tipping trailers, lorry-mounted cranes, combine harvesters and telehandlers.