15 July 2008 13:24 Central Networks publishes farming safety messages in seven languages

"Cultivar em segurança*." It might mean nothing to the average Briton but Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, is hoping its safety warnings - published in seven languages - can keep everyone safe during the busy summer and harvest seasons.

The safety advice on working around or near power lines is published - and now available online - in languages most widely spoken by farm workers in the Midlands, namely Lithuanian, Polish, Russian, Portuguese, Turkish and Czech. And of course they are already available in English.

Leaflets in all seven languages are available to download from the company's website: www.central-networks.co.uk.

Phil Wilson, Customer Operations Manager at Central Networks, said: "Farm work is seasonal and often carried out by people from across Europe. We're doing our bit to make sure as many people as possible are aware of the dangers of working near power lines.

"Large machinery, tall farm equipment and overhead power lines are a potentially lethal combination.

"In addition, bright sunshine during the day, or a low setting sun in the evening, can make it more difficult to spot power lines, so these simple precautions are really important, especially when you may be rushing to get something done."

Advice to farm workers includes:

• Avoid operating plant or using equipment where any part is likely to approach close to, or touch, overhead power lines;
• Be particularly careful when moving plant or equipment from one place to another, especially if the machinery is machines or has long booms;
• Stay wires are attached to some poles to provide stability for the overhead power lines - check if there are any in the vicinity of your work. If you do damage a stay wire, contact Central Networks immediately.

* Cultivar em segurança is "farming safety" in Portuguese.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Central Networks brings power to 4.9 million customers across central England through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
• Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For further information contact:

Andrew Barrow on 024 7618 3677
A selection of Central Networks images are available free of charge to the media by registering at www.newscast.co.uk and looking under Distribution