Episode 6 - Electricity

What's this podcast episode about?

Key takeaways:

Have an accessible map of all power lines on farm.

Don't be afraid to go through the location of power lines with contractors.

Hire a professional for electrical appliance testing.

Electrical safety presents numerous hazards on farms and estates. It's used in pretty much everything. There's also the risk of contact with overhead powerlines and faulty handheld electrical equipment. Electricity also poses the risk of burns, fires, injuries and fatality

Why are people contacting overhead powerlines?

There's one accident involving farm staff per day coming into contact with overhead powerlines. The main reason from Hannah's point of view is machinery and equipment are becoming bigger and bigger. Making them get closer and nearer to powerlines.

Another issue is the tech within the machinery, like Sat Nav and automatic steering. They might not take into account the power lines and poles. 

Gulliver remembers when he was working as a consultant visiting a farmer who had a similar incident. They were harvesting in their combine when they got too close and an overhead power line arched across to the combine. Starting a huge fire burning out the combine in the peak of harvest.

After years of harvesting the same field with the same harvester previously, it was a challenge to figure out this incident occurred. It was discovered that it was a combination of a new GPS unit that added another 500mm onto the ariel height, sagging powerlines and damp weather conditions. This allowed the electricity to ark across.

The key bit is to avoid complacency. Stop, think and consider what's new and changed around you with a fresh set of eyes.

Good practice is to undertake a risk assessment and review your safe work procedures if there are new equipment or attachments.

If you have any concerns over the height of power lines you can contact the power line provider and they'll measure the height to ensure it's an acceptable parameters.

Other electrical equipment on farms and estates

From Gullivers years of visiting farms, he's seen older type sheds with almost ancient power supplies. Typically these don't get updated if their location is not often used. 

However, there is a requirement with electricity at work. An electrical installation must be suitable and sufficient for the use. Maintained and fit for purpose. Essentially, the installation should be inspected by a competent person every 5 years.

A competent person is defined as a qualified electrician.

PAT Testing 

Portable Appliance Testing. PAT Testing is the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use.

Think of anything electrical that you use - fixed wiring or what you plug into. It must be suitably maintained and fit for purpose. However, there is no legal definition for what suitable maintenance is. 

This is how PAT Testing came to be. 

Informative Links

• Electricity - What you need to do
• Working safely near overhead electricity power line
• Avoiding danger from overhead power lines
• Electricity in farming/forestry
• Overhead power lines
• PAT - Portable appliance testing FAQs