UK Power Networks distributes more than a quarter of the UK's electricity to London, the South East and the East of England.

Every year, people are killed or seriously injured when they come into contact with electricity. This can have a far-reaching and devastating effect on family, friends and colleagues.

Distractions, rushing jobs, bad habits, taking shortcuts and placing yourself under time pressure has a real impact on your safety.

The safety of our customers and staff is always our number one priority. Our dedicated safety team are happy to advise and provide guidance on working safely around the electricity network.

Visit our safety pages for downloadable safety leaflets, watch our safety animations and request vehicle and machinery stickers that remind all staff operating machinery to look out for overhead electricity wires and check for underground cables before starting work. www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/internet/en/safety/

Request cables plans from – 

www.linesearchbeforeudig.co.uk and if you operate in the East of England, South East or London area from www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk

Think about these key elements when planning work -

• Plan ahead. Know where overhead power lines and underground cables are before starting work, especially if you are unfamiliar with the site.
• Mark overhead and underground power cables on farm maps, include the information on your risk assessment. ALWAYS inform visitors, contractors and all staff BEFORE they start work.
• Know the maximum reach of your vehicles, taking into consideration add-ons or extendable elements such as sprayer arms, grain lids or augers.
• Select suitable machinery, think about how and where it will be used.
• Risks can be reduced if the following activities are not carried out within a horizontal distance of at least 10 m from powerlines – combining, folding crop sprayers, moving irrigation pipes, loading or unloading vehicles, tipping, stacking materials. If you cannot avoid carrying out any of these work activities closer than 10 m, you must consult the distribution company for safety advice before starting work.
• Stay alert and vigilant when using GPS or auto steer systems.
• Avoid stacking materials and crops too close to or under overhead power lines.
• When working in conditions of poor visibility take extra care. Check there are no overhead power lines within your vehicles reach before starting work.
• Always assume powerlines are live. If you see damaged or downed powerlines STAY WELL AWAY, keep others away and call 0800 31 63 105 or simply 105.
• In an emergency call the 24 hour Emergency and Power Cut number 105.
• Download and use What3Words app to help us locate you faster. Ensure all staff have the emergency 105 number in their phone.

Knowing what to do in an emergency can save lives.

Watch our farm safety animation at cereals live on how to exit a vehicle safely and communicate this to all of our staff through your training and daily updates.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=00eNWwHfkf0

Work safe – stay safe- Go home safe

Additional safety advice-

Avoiding danger from overhead powerlines www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/gs6.htm

Avoiding danger from underground services www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/priced/hsg47.pdf