Farm safety

• Plan ahead, always note the location of overhead power lines, and do not carry out lifting or loading within 5 metres of power lines
  
  
• If you are felling trees and there are lines within two tree heights, or you are cutting back within two branch lengths of an overhead power line, you must contact us for advice before starting work
  
  
• You must also contact us at least two weeks’ notice of any minor works close to overhead power lines, and at least a month’s notice for major works
  
  
• If you are working at night, or in conditions of poor visibility, you must use spotlights or a torch to carefully check that there are no overhead power lines within your reach
  
  
• If you are doing any work or moving anything and there is a risk that contact could be made with overhead power lines, you must contact us for advice before starting. Always follow the advice given by us.
  
  
• Never touch overhead power lines, always assume lines are live unless we have told you otherwise

If you inadvertently come into contact with an overhead power line and the machine is not operable or cannot be driven clear of the line:

• Stay in the cab
  
  
• Call and report this to us using the 105 number - we're here 24/7
  
  
• Instruct everyone outside the vehicle not to approach and stay well back
  
  
• Do not exit the cab until given confirmation by our emergency teams that it is safe to do so

If the machine is inoperable or cannot be driven free and there is risk of fire or other immediate hazard:

• If you must get off then you must jump clear making leaping strides so that one foot is off the ground at all times until you are at least five metres away
  
  
• Do not return to the vehicle unless told by our emergency teams it is safe to do so
  
  
• Keep others away from the vehicle. Touching it or even getting too close could kill them

If you are in a life-threatening situation or have serious injuries please dial 999 immediately and tell them electricity is involved.

• Call 105 if you have come into contact with an overhead power line or have a safety concern related to the electricity network that could put you, or someone else, in danger.
  
  
• Follow the advice from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in their Avoiding danger from overhead power lines guidance note and carry out a risk assessment.