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Farm Safety Week

From 16 July, the sixth annual Farm Safety Week takes place, where farming organisations, communities and other groups join forces to raise awareness of the dangers of working on farms.

On average, one farm worker dies each year as a result of contact with an overhead power line. In the last five years there have been 1,140 reported near misses involving machinery and overhead power lines, where serious injury or death was a possibility.



In support of this event, we are advising the farming community to always think safe and stay safe by being aware of electrical equipment when working or undertaking activities on farms.

“There is no higher priority at WPD than the safety of our staff, contractors and the public who could be affected by our equipment or our work,” said Lee Wallace, WPD’s Safety and Training Manager.

“We want to remind people of the dangers that surround them – to always look up and look out for overhead lines and to dial before you dig for advice about underground cables.” said Lee.

The dangers of over-reliance on technology were highlighted last year when a tractor driver brought down a pylon that was carrying overhead lines operating at 132,000 volts near Grantham, Lincolnshire.

The tractor used a Global Positioning System to program the tractor to operate in straight lines. Distracted by the equipment he was towing, the driver failed to notice he was heading at speed towards the pylon and so didn’t apply the brakes.

Fortunately, the driver was not injured and the tractor only had minor damage. Lee Wallace commented: “This is a timely reminder of the dangers of working near overhead lines and the use of technology.”

Stephanie Berkeley from the Farm Safety Foundation, who lead the Farm Safety Week campaign, said: “More than ever, the industry is aware of the issue of farm safety however this year rather than focusing on agriculture’s poor safety record and stories of things going wrong, Farm Safety Week 2018 will start talking about when things go right, share good practice and demonstrate what ‘good’ actually looks like.

“Only you can make that change. You have to want to change. You have to decide to change. You have to play your part. You have to take responsibility. It’s Your Health. Your Safety. Your Choice!”

Simple rules for farming safely near overhead lines include:

  • Never raise elevating equipment such as spray booms, cabbage harvesters and trailer bodies under or close to overhead power lines.
  • Never store or produce materials under or close to overhead power lines.
  • Know the maximum height and reach of any vehicle you are operating.
  • Understand any height limitations or special operating requirements when working on the farm.
  • Keep a look out for warning signs and overhead power lines.
More information can be found here or by calling 0800 096 3080.
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