Following two recent incidents where combine harvesters struck power lines, farmers are being urged to put safety first and keep an eye out for overhead lines as they focus on harvesting their crops.
Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution (SSEPD) is keen to highlight the importance of working safely near the electricity network when using farm equipment, as the consequences can be serious, not only for the farm staff, but also the local community who may suffer a powercut.
Combine harvesters can reach heights of up to 7 metres when their equipment is fully extended, and with farmers focussing on getting their crops in before night falls, it can be very easy to miss obstacles such as power lines or electricity poles.
Stuart Hogarth, Director of Distribution for SSEPD explains: “What many people forget is that electricity can jump through the air, so it’s crucial that anyone operating agricultural equipment is aware of the optimum height they can open their equipment at and be aware of where overhead lines are situated before they shift to the next field.
“Night-time working is particularly dangerous. Our advice to operators is to avoid fields with overhead lines when harvesting after dusk, or when the driver is particularly tired. Even in broad daylight it is all too easy to miss lines when you are concentrating on your computer or what the header is doing.”
If, despite their best efforts, a farmer strikes overhead lines, Stuart offers this crucial, potentially life-saving advice: “If any part of the vehicle touches an overhead line, do not get out of the cab because once outside, you no longer have the protective shield of the machine around you.
“The best advice is to phone our emergency telephone line from the cab and you will be put through to our control room. We will then advise what to do, while we make the wires safe for you to jump out.”
The emergency telephone numbers are 0800 072 7282 if you are based in Central Southern England and 0800 300 999 for the North of Scotland.