Power company urges farmers to stay safe this harvest

Agriculture and road haulage accounted for 25% of all contact with overhead cables and poles last year. The call from electricity firm UK Power Networks is backed by Suffolk farmer Andrew Francis, who says, “The most important thing is that everybody that comes to work safely in the morning should go home safely at the end of the day as well. We do work in a high pressurised system at times of the year when there's a lot on and we're under weather window pressures.

But it's really important that we don't forget the safety angle and that that's at the forefront of our thoughts.”

Mr Francis, is managing director of Home Farm, Nacton, which makes sure staff and contractors are aware of the safety message at all times. He is also a director of East Suffolk Produce and Breckland Farmers Wildlife Network,

UK Power Networks which distributes electricity to 8.5 million homes and businesses across the South East, East of England and London, has already sent out more than 4,000 stickers this year to be placed inside farm vehicle cabs reminding drivers to work safely, avoid contact with overhead high voltage electricity cables and what to do in an emergency. The company’s safety team attend agricultural events and promote the message in farming publications.

Here’s the essential advice that could save your life:

• Plan ahead: Mark overhead and underground power cables on farm maps and inform all staff, contractors and visitors where they are situated. Cable plans can be requested at www.Isbud.co.uk and from UK Power Networks.
• Look Out Look Up: Find out the maximum reach of all machinery and consider how it can be used safely. 
• Check: Always look around you before loading or unloading, using tipper trailers in fields and when stacking. 
• Stay alert: Remain vigilant when using GPS auto-steer systems. Always assume power lines are live even if they are damaged
• Exit plan: Know how to exit your vehicle in case of an emergency and keep at least ten metres away from fallen power lines. Stay in the cab, or, if you need to get out jump well clear so that no contact is made between you, the vehicle and the ground at the same time.
• Take special care in dark or poor light especially when tired. Call 0800 3163105 or just 105 in an emergency. Download the What3Words app to help explain your location

Ros Forbes, safety advisor at UK Power Networks said, “Harvest is an incredibly busy time, when people work very long hours, so our advice is always to stay vigilant. To avoid accidents farm workers need to look up and around to see what electrical equipment is nearby. Knowing the reach of your machinery and highlighting the position of overhead lines and underground cables on your farm maps is such a simple way to save lives if you communicate where the electricity network is to staff, third parties and visitors before they start work.”

Further information on working safely around the electricity network can be obtained from the HSE or on UK Power Networks’ website.