A farmer has cheated death after crashing into an electricity pole bringing down overhead electricity lines carrying 6,600-volts.
The incident in Lancashire, is just one of seven separate incidents reported to network operator Electricity North West in the past month during the busy harvest season.
The network operator has again issued a stark warning to farmers, calling on them to look out and look up to avoid electricity poles or striking overhead lines.
During Farm Safety Week in July, Electricity North West revealed concerning statistics that in the last 12 months, 24 separate incidents had occurred on its network, with many more expected to go unreported.
Paul Killilea, Electricity North West’s asset and investment director, said: “The farmers involved are lucky to be alive. We’ve also seen considerable damage to the power network which has then gone on to impact customers due to the power cuts that have been caused, but the reality is that this could have been a very different situation for those involved.
“We are again calling on farmers to take note of their surroundings, be vigilant and stay aware. It’s essential that any employees or contractors are also briefed on the location of any electricity equipment before work starts.
“I urge everybody who works on farmland to take note, these incidents are serious and by being aware, it really could save a life.”
The incidents in the last few weeks have taken place across Lancashire including Croston, Rossendale, Clitheroe, Burnley, Lancaster, Preston and Goosnargh.
Wayne Owen, HM principal instructor in the Health and Safety Executive agricultural sector, added: “Contact with power lines can cause serious and fatal injury, often occurring when equipment or machinery is working under, or in the vicinity of, overhead power lines.
“The risk can be controlled in many ways, including making sure your workers and any contractors know where OHPLs are located and the maximum working height and minimum clearance distance to be maintained.
“Use safe methods of work to avoid lines in fields with slopes, difficult access or fixed obstacles. Make sure to plot this information and any restrictions on a farm map and share this with staff, contractors, delivery drivers and other visitors."
Should any farm equipment ever collide with the overhead network, Electricity North West advises:
- Stay in the cab
- Call 105 (999 in an emergency)
- Try to drive clear
- Warn others to stay clear
- If you need to get out, jump well clear (the vehicle may be live)
- Move away using leaping strides
- Do not return to the vehicle
To find out more go to www.enwl.co.uk/safety and further guidance is available from the HSE website:
