'Look up, look out' is the message to local farmers from Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) as it attends local agricultural shows to raise awareness of the possible dangers of working near wooden electricity poles and overhead power lines.

SSEN will be attending the following shows over the next couple of weeks:

  • Turriff Show - Sunday 30/Monday 31 July 2017 at the Haughs, Turriff
  • Black Isle Show - Thursday 3 August 2017 at Mannsfield Showground, Muir of Ord
  • Perth Show - Friday 4/Saturday 5 August 2017 at the Perth Show Ground, South Inch

Last year, SSEN recorded over 40 incidents in the north of Scotland where farm machinery came into contact with wooden poles, overhead lines and cables and damaging the network. In some cases these incidents affected local electricity supplies and had the potential to cause serious injury, or worse, to those involved.

Since April of this year, SSEN has already recorded 25 farming related incidents, with 21 of those resulting in damage to the overhead network. As harvest season is approaching, SSEN is urging farmers and farm workers to be aware and report any damage to the network by calling 105 as quickly as possible, when it is safe to do so.

SSEN is attending local agricultural shows across its regions in the north of Scotland to ensure farmers and their teams are armed with the knowledge they need to stay safe whilst working the land this summer and beyond. Teams at the events will provide valuable safety advice at SSEN's dedicated stand:

  • Look up and look out before you start work in any areas to identify if there are electricity lines present
  • Be aware of the height of machinery that will be in use near overhead lines and ensure there's plenty of clearance - remember that electricity can 'jump' if an object comes close enough
  • If you do come into contact with an overhead line or cable, stay in your cab or vehicle and try to avoid touching anything metal within it
  • Call 105 - this is the UK-wide single emergency number for power companies and is the quickest way to put you through to the correct network operator
  • If the situation is too dangerous to stay put, i.e. if the machinery is affected by fire, then it's advised that you leap out of the vehicle as high and as far as you can to avoid touching any part of it.

Dale Cargill, SSEN's Director of Customer Operations in Scotland, said: "The 'look up, look out' message encourages anyone working on farm land to take stock of their surroundings and the overhead lines that may run across the land.

"The use of agricultural machinery such as combine harvesters, tipping trailers, boom sprayers and loaders, as well as activities such as stacking can often bring farm workers and agricultural contractors close to our overhead power lines. We're urging everyone to be aware of their surroundings before they start work, always have a mobile available to call 105 in case of an emergency and to look up and look out for overhead power lines - bearing in mind the height of the machinery and equipment they are working with."

Farmers and agricultural contractors can contact SSEN for help and advice before they start a job. For more information, visit ssen.co.uk.