10 November 2004 00:00 Carelessness can cost lives - Central Networks urges farmers to take care

Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for the East and West Midlands, has put out a special safety warning to farmers as they start ploughing and planting crops for next year.

Following an incident in Low Barlings in Lincolnshire, when a tractor towing a piece of farm equipment touched overhead power lines, the company is asking all agricultural workers to be extra careful at this time of year.

Stephen Hennell, Network and Public Safety Manager at Central Networks, said: "Now that harvesting has been completed, fields are being ploughed and new crops planted, so it’s important that farmers and agricultural workers continue to take care when working near overhead power lines.

“When you’re rushing to get something done you may not be taking the time you normally would to check for possible dangers.

“In this latest incident, after the farmer’s vehicle hit the overhead power line, the tractor tyres caught fire and he was understandably very scared. He did however follow the safety guidelines and very sensibly stayed in his cab until the area was made safe by our engineers

“It’s essential that farm workers operating machinery take a little time to identify the location of the hazard before they start work, taking into account the height of the equipment they are using and the safe operating clearance under the power lines.

“Farm owners must ensure that, when contractors are being used to carry out the ploughing or crop planting, they’re made aware of the location of overhead power lines from the farm plan before they start work.

“With misty weather and grey skies, the visibility of power lines reduces so these simple safety precautions are really important, especially when you may be rushing to get something done.

“As this incident shows, it’s essential that farmers keep a look out for overhead power lines – the next person might not be so lucky.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:
• Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.8 million customers across the East and West Midlands 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:
Rebecca Middleton on 024 7642 5779
Kathy Doyle on 024 7642 4292
Out of hours, call 024 7642 4000 and ask for the duty press officer