‘Look out, look up’ – Stay safe at work
9th May 2025
During busy times, such as harvest, it is easy to forget the overhead and underground electricity network is all around. When driving or using agricultural machinery, always be vigilant, plan and look up and around to see what electrical equipment is near you, the UK Power Networks warns.
UK Power Networks distributes electricity to 8.4 million homes and businesses across the South East, East of England and London.
The team said that knowing the reach of your machinery and highlighting the position of overhead lines and underground cables on your farm maps can help in planning your work.
Communicating where the electricity network is to staff, third parties and visitors before they start any work is also vital.
Top safety tips
The UK Power Networks has issued essential advice that could save your life:
- Plan ahead: mark overhead and underground power cables on farm maps. Inform all staff, contractors and visitors where they are situated. Cable plans can be requested at www.Isbud.co.uk and from your local distribution network operator.
- Look out look up: find out the maximum reach of all machinery and consider how it can be used safely.
- Check around you before loading or unloading, using tipper trailers in fields and when stacking. Take special care in dark or poor light conditions, especially when tired.
- Stay alert: remain vigilant when using GPS auto steer systems. Always assume power lines are live even if they are damaged and stay well away.
- Exit plan: know how to exit your vehicle in case of an emergency – keep at least ten metres away from fallen power lines. Stay in the cab and call 105. 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.
- Loading: 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.
- Avoid building up the land or adding hardstanding below existing power lines.
- Call 0800 3163105 or just 105 in an emergency. Download the What3Words app to help explain your location.
Work safe. Stay safe. Go home safe.
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