Farmers are being encouraged to put safety first by ScottishPower Energy Networks, following a number of work-related incidents near power lines and a recent spree of dangerous power line thefts across Scotland.
The network operator has joined forces with Police Scotland and NFU Mutual to run a special seminar at this year’s Royal Highland Show, which will discuss farm safety around working near power lines as well as highlight the worrying rise in metal theft, which often hits rural areas.
Since the start of 2015, two third-party work-related incidents beside power lines have resulted in fatalities in the SP Energy Networks areas (West Lothian and Cheshire). Power line thefts are also on the increase, with around 35 incidents recorded since the start of May in Scotland. The thefts have caused power interruptions for more than 300 homes, and resulted in one man being hospitalised after suffering serious burns following an attempted theft in Edinburgh.
Increasingly farms are becoming a target for criminals attracted to power lines for the scrap value of metal. It is important that farmers are vigilant and report any suspected interference because of the impact on electricity supplies to customers, particularly those that are medically dependant, and the potential public safety hazard thieves leave behind them.
Speaking at the event -
Guy Jefferson, Distribution Network Director at SP Energy Networks, said: “Farmers and farm workers are very busy at this time of year, so it is important for them to be aware of the potential hazards that working in close proximity to overhead lines can present. Rural power line thefts are also increasingly a major issue, and farmers often feel the impact of increased safety issues and power cuts following incidents. We are working closely with Police Scotland across our network area and we are also encouraging farmers to report any suspicious behaviour they see near our power lines.”
PC George Sangster, Safer Communities, Police Scotland said: "People who steal metal from power lines are not only committing an offence but are putting their lives at risk - we have seen people badly injured as a result of their own reckless offending. These thefts create public safety issues for emergency services, emergency electrical repair staff or members of the public who may discover the theft, not to mention the effect of a power cut on local communities and industry. Police Scotland will robustly investigate these incidents to ensure that offenders are brought before the courts.”
Tim Price, Rural Affairs Specialist, NFU Mutual said: “Power line theft not only causes huge disruption and extra costs for farmers - but it can also put the lives of people and animals at risk. As the UK’s leading rural insurer we’re working closely with Police Scotland and rural communities to help them work together to keep criminals out of the countryside.”
The seminar will also highlight to farmers what to do if accidental contact occurs from operating machinery near power lines, as well as other risks such a jet of water or slurry which can cause discharge of electricity. Whether they are sparking, damaged or appear unaffected, power lines can remain live so it’s vital that farmers are aware of the precautions to take, to keep people and livestock away and contact SP Energy Networks via the emergency telephone number, 0800 092 9290 (from a landline) or 0330 101 0222 (from a mobile phone).
The seminar will provide farmers and farm workers with the information they need to keep themselves and their livestock safe should they come across fallen power cables or if their machinery hits overhead power lines.
