Unfortunately, a lot of injuries, including several fatal ones, occur every year when the victims get too close to live overhead power lines, underground cables or other electrical equipment. Whether working or playing, you always have to be aware of dangers and know how to avoid them.

Always make note of the location of utility poles and service lines before you begin to clip a hedge, trim a tree, or chop up fodder.

• Don’t go too close to any plant or device if any part of it is near an overhead power line, touches it or could touch it.
• Be particularly careful when moving tall plants or equipment that has parts sticking out (e.g., during harvest or when using a baler).
• If you employ workers, don’t forget to show them where the utility poles, overhead power lines and underground cables are located, so they can safely avoid them during work.
• When using scaffolding, platforms, ladders, long pieces of pipe or long tools, always be sure to keep them a safe distance from power lines.
• Never move loads or use a crane or other tall material conveyor if there are overhead power lines nearby that could present a danger.
• Some supporting poles are outfitted with support cables in order to stabilize the overhead power lines – look around to see if any of these are nearby.
• Don’t forget that you can create a dangerous situation when raising or slewing the jib of a self-powered construction vehicle (e.g., crane, excavator) that is working near an overhead power line. Do not operate equipment unless there is an experienced operator or loader present, and don’t forget to always have a banksman to help coordinate movements and keep the equipment away from the service lines.
• Never travel on top of vehicles or loads.
• Never approach or touch any fallen or broken power lines or any plant that might be in contact with an overhead power line.
• If the operator of a construction vehicle that has come into contact with an overhead power line cannot extricate the vehicle by backing up, he should stay in the cab and warn the people nearby not to touch the vehicle until the power company says there is no longer any danger.
• If it is necessary to leave the vehicle while it is in contact with a live overhead power line (if, for example, it catches fire), the driver should jump as far as possible away from the vehicle. The vehicle’s outer body will become electrically charged in this situation, while the nearby area will carry the hazard of step voltage. In such cases, don’t touch the vehicle and don’t try to climb down in the usual way. Walk away from the site taking small steps; don’t run. (If you don’t have to leave the vehicle, stay in the cab!)