Farmers in Highlands warned of power lines risk during harvest season
Farmers are being reminded to think “safety first” at harvest time and watch out for power lines crossing their fields.
SSEN, the distribution network operator (DNO) for the north of Scotland, has launched its “Look out, Look up” safety campaign to coincide with harvest season.
The safety push, which runs until September, is focusing on the dangers of machinery coming into contact with electricity infrastructure.
It warns that the impact can be massive on whole families, not just the individual injured.
SSEN has produced the following advice to help famers stay safe when working near the electricity network:
• Before you head out on the farm, always check for power lines above you – “Look out, look up, look after yourself”
• If your farm machinery hits a power line: stay in the cab if it’s safe to do so – then call 105 and wait for help
• Never touch an overhead line and don’t assume it’s dead – always assume it’s live unless, or until, the owner of the line has confirmed that it’s dead
• When machinery is in contact with an overhead line, anyone who touches both it and the ground can be electrocuted. Stay in the cab and lower any raised parts in contact with the line or drive the machinery out of the line if you can
• If you need to get out, to call for help or because of fire, don’t climb out in the usual way – jump out as far as possible, without touching the line or the machinery, and don’t touch any part of the machinery when on the ground
• Call 105 and ask us to disconnect the supply. Even if the line appears dead, don’t touch it as automatic switching may reconnect the power
Thirty-five non-injury incidents were recorded across the north of Scotland by SSEN last year.
Peter Vujanic, head of safety for SSEN Distribution, said: “SSEN’s messaging and campaign has been formed through hundreds of conversations with the farming community, so we refer to ‘Look out, Look up’ as being designed by farmers for farmers, and it’s interesting to see that last year’s focus on a stronger emotional connection has potentially led to an increase in reporting incidents.”
He added: “SSEN wants to make sure that everyone returns home safely to their loved ones at the end of their working day and with around two workers killed across the UK each year – due to machinery coming in to contact with overhead electricity lines – there can be no room for complacency.”