Children jumping on trampolines or daring to climb a tree while dad power hoses the yard; it all sounds like a typically happy and harmonious day at the family home.
But these common activities could lead to tragedy if people don’t heed the warnings of a danger that is everywhere and yet hardly noticed – electricity lines and equipment.
Chances are you could look out of your kitchen window now and see numerous electricity lines above your garden. It’s a little more startling if you didn’t realise they were there all along.
And that’s the point of a new safety campaign from NIE Networks.
Titled Look Up and Look Out, the campaign is aimed at raising your spatial awareness and taking robust measures to avoid a potentially devastating accident.
Recently appointed Head of Health and Safety, Damien Monaghan, wants to ensure the message reaches everyone.
Damien has been with NIE Networks for 30 years. Having started his career as a craft apprentice, he progressed through working on overhead lines into various management positions, and more recently in project delivery. He was appointed Head of Health and Safety in August this year.
A big part of Damien’s new role is ensuring the safety of NIE Networks customers, staff and their contracting partners. This is relevant to any number of activities from DIY, gardening or playing with kids at home, to how businesses operate and work with contractors.
Damien said: “It’s really important to remember that you are always close to some type of equipment on our network, whether that is your own meter position, overhead lines, underground cables or the mini pillars you see along the footpath.
“If for example, you are cutting trees on your property the advice is to stay a minimum of five metres away from overhead lines, poles, or other electricity equipment. However, if you have doubt about whether or not it’s safe, NIE Networks can send out fully trained arborists free of charge to check and maintain safety clearances to the overhead line if required.”
Trampolines placed directly under power lines or climbable trees located within close range of them are just some of the dangers that people can easily miss. Even something as mundane as power hosing could result in electrocution if the jet stream comes into contact with overhead lines as electricity can travel through liquid. Other activities, such as slurry spreading, should also ensure at least a five metres gap from electricity equipment.
“Farms and construction are a big area of focus for us. Piling excess soil, or anything that raises ground level, reduces the distance to overhead electricity lines. Bringing in bigger machinery also reduces the distance between you and the lines, which increases the risk of accidents.”
Elsewhere, NIE Networks warn it’s not just the aerial threat that has to be taken into consideration - underground cables can be hazardous too.
In some instances, people will need to be aware of the location of underground cables, for example, if they are going to be digging for any reason. If you are not certain about the location of underground cables, NIE Networks will provide maps free of charge. You just need to call the contact centre and request a network map.
For farmers and businesses, it’s important they factor in safety every step of the way. Safety plans must also extend to contractors brought in by farmers and other businesses who will not have the same level of familiarity with the existence of overhead or underground cables. In those cases, the law would further impose an obligation to take all steps necessary to protect people’s safety.
Farmers and business owners are governed by laws that demand risk assessments for trades people, and familiarity with HSENI guidance is crucial. The campaign warns that in a worst-case scenario, you could lose a loved one or colleague, and then also have to go through legal proceedings and a prosecution.
Sadly, as many people know too well, accidents have devastating effects on families and communities. Doing everything possible to avoid injuries and fatalities is an absolute must.
“Look up, Look out” is a very important message, as is businesses familiarity with HSENI guidelines. Sometimes the best course of action will not be clear and in those incidences, it’s crucial that people get in touch with NIE Networks. The contact centre staff offer practical advice, network maps and other services free of charge.
- Never proceed if you have any doubt about how to work safely around an electricity network.
- Stay at least five metres clear of overhead lines.
- Never approach damaged electricity equipment.
- The NIE Networks contact centre is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Call 03457 643 643, it could save a life.
- For more information visit www.nienetworks.co.uk/safety / https://www.hseni.gov.uk/