On average two people are killed and many more are injured every year when they come into contact with overhead power lines (OHPLs) during agricultural work. Contact with them rarely results in just minor injury. Machinery (such as combines, tipping trailers and irrigators), equipment (such as irrigation pipes and ladders) and activities (such as stacking) are often involved. The following cases highlight the dangers involved in working near and with electricity:
- Irrigation pipe contacts an OHPL[1]
An employee suffered a near-fatal electric shock when an aluminium irrigation pipe he picked up contacted a 33kV overhead power line. - Tipper lorry contacts over head power lines at farm[2]
The raised body of a tipper lorry contacted an OHPL whilst delivering gravel to a farm. - Over head power lines in farm yards[3]
Two cases involving lorry drivers and overhead power lines. - Telehandler boom contacts OHPL[4]
An employee received severe burn injuries when she struck an OHPL with a telehandler boom whilst moving metal pig huts from one farm to another.