Powerco

Safety for Farmers

Electrical safety is a must for anyone working on a farm.  Follow these simple rules to reduce the risks when where working around networks.

Watch that line

Keep 4m away from lines. Equipment does not need to touch the line to be dangerous as electricity can arc over in a high voltage system. Treat every wire as live. Take care when working around the guide wires on electrical poles. Bumping these wires can cause lines to sag.

Working off trucks

Park away from overhead lines, and work as much as possible away from the lines and poles. Keep clear of power lines when working on the upper levels of stock trucks or on high loads. Don’t load or unload metal irrigation pipes close to power lines.

Moving equipment around lines

When moving tall machinery, choose the route where power lines are high enough to give adequate clearance. Always have lifting equipment in a lowered position before moving it under lines. Make sure you know where power lines are when moving vehicles with raised apparatus such as grain augers, ladders, drills and dump truck beds.

Fencing

Do not erect fence wire along the same path as overhead lines, or strain wire where it could make contact with lines. A broken wire flicking upwards can come into contact with nearby power lines.

Irrigation equipment

Keep jet irrigators and the booms of rotary irrigators clear of all power lines. Make sure the tips of rotary irrigators are kept 4m from power lines when operating and moving down a paddock, and when being shifted along bumpy roads or paddocks.

Working with power tools

When working with power tools, use a safety switch (RCD) which can trip the power before any harm occurs.

If power lines are down

If power lines hit your vehicle while you are in it, stay still until help arrives. Never get out of your vehicle unless you have too. If in an extreme emergency you do have to get out, do so without touching metal and ground at the same time - jump as far as you can.

If you see lines down call us immediately and make sure people and stock keep well away. Downed power lines are extremely dangerous.