Farmers urged to stay safe while driving farm machinery
4th March 2025
Farmers and hauliers are being urged not to forget safety when it comes to loading and unloading on farms.
UK Power Networks has been talking to landowners and site managers, asking them to warn contractors and workers about the overhead cables on their land. The electricity distributor’s safety team has renewed their warning following the death of a skip driver in the eastern region when part of the vehicle was raised and came into contact with overhead lines.
Last year farming and road haulage contributed to 30% of all overhead line incidents across the East and South East, and nationally two people are killed every year.
To spread the safety message, advisors from UK Power Networks attend dozens of events and groups across the East and South East and have a busy schedule planned for this year.
Life-threatening contact
Safety advisor Ros Forbes said: “It’s really important that landowners or site managers remember to brief all staff, and anyone visiting with equipment that operates at height, about any overhead power lines to avoid. These can carry up to 132,000 volts so any contact with them could be life-threatening.
“Our advice if driving or using agricultural machinery, is always to be vigilant, plan ahead, and to look up and around to see what electrical equipment is near you. Another thing to be careful of, is changing the landscape or land use, for example, by building up the land or adding hardstanding or access routes below existing power lines.”
Thousands of bright yellow stickers are handed out each year by the power company to be stuck inside farm vehicle cabs, reminding drivers to work safely and what to do in an emergency.
Essential tips that could save your life
Plan ahead: Find out the maximum reach of all machinery and consider how it can be used safely. 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.
Download the What3Words app in case you ever need to explain your location to the emergency services.
Look out look up: Always look around you before loading or unloading, using tipper trailers in fields, and when stacking.
Never raise the bed of a tipper lorry underneath an overhead power line or drive under the line with the body of the vehicle raised. Drivers should unload elsewhere and use a vehicle that doesn’t pose a risk near overhead power lines (such as a small dump truck).
Take extra care in dark or poor light, especially when tired.
Stay alert: Remain vigilant when using GPS auto-steer systems. Always assume power lines are live even if they are damaged.
Exit plan: In an emergency, call 0800 3163105 or just dial 105 – store this number in your phone contacts.
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.
Further information about working safely around the electricity network can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive or at www.ukpowernetworks.com
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