Essential Energy is reminding truck drivers and machinery operators to take extra care around the electricity network following a number of incidents with tipper trucks contacting power lines across the State. Contact with power lines can cause fatal injury and inconvenience to local communities if a power outage occurs. Take some time to identify the area and assess any risks that may arise. Simple steps can be made to ensure potential electrical hazards are minimised.
Essential Energy advises operators to monitor weather conditions throughout the day as power lines can sag in extreme heat, sway in windy conditions and be difficult to see at dawn or dusk. Essential Energy has created the motto LAND to help you remember how to stay safe around power lines especially coming into the harvest season.
Look up and live. Overhead powerlines should be identified and marked at ground level. Essential Energy can provide electrical
network maps showing the location of overhead powerlines on your property.
Always be aware. Before accessing paddocks and work areas, check the location and condition of poles and wires. Conditions
can change without notice and heat can affect powerline height.
Need to know. Know the height of farm machinery in raised and lowered positions so you can maintain safe clearance distances
from powerlines. Powerlines can be as low as 5.5m so ALWAYS lower machinery fully before moving off.
Don’t disembark. If your machinery comes into contact with overhead powerlines, stay in the vehicle, if safe to do so, and call Essential Energy immediately on 13 20 80.