Watch Out for Overhead Electricity Wires.

Winter time brings different challenges when it comes to safety. We know about the importance of being more visible – wearing a clean hi-viz jacket and driving with the lights on even during daylight hours. Something as simple as having good lighting around the place has been shown to improve safety.

Watching out for overhead electricity wires and never touching fallen wires is another very important safety message that must stay with us all year-round – safety never takes a break.

Remember electricity wires are always live, so keep your distance, everytime.

Storms, wind and rain can often bring down timber on electricity wires causing the wires to hang low or even fall to the ground if the pole breaks. At this time of year I always recall the observation from a more experienced colleague years ago – that an early-winter storm often did the most harm because all the trees were in full foliage and at their heaviest and so likely to cause the most damage to the electricity network.

Safety advice from ESB Networks:

1. Never, ever go near fallen electricity wires

If you see fallen wires, keep your distance and contact us immediately. For example when out tending to stock, especially at night, you need to be extra vigilant and never handle stock or anything else that may be in contact with wires. Avoid the understandable desire to tend to stricken animals, electricity wires are always live.

2.Expect the un-expected.

Following a period of bad weather, it is possible that there may be damage to the electricity network, so check out the situation in daylight and report any damage to ESB Networks.

3.Electric fencers

If a fallen wire lands on an electric fence or gate, they too will become live and extremely dangerous to touch. In these circumstances the output side of the fencer could be at mains voltage.

4.Report dangers to ESB Networks, immediately

If you come across any of the following, please call us immediately.

  • a. Fallen wires

  • b. Low clearance wires
  • c. Broken or leaning poles
  • d. Damaged stays or ground wires
  • e. Trees touching wires
  • f. down on wires
  • 5.Act Safely – act immediately:

    Never underestimate the importance of calling ESB Networks immediately. It gives us the best opportunity to make the situation safe in the shortest time possible. Not alone are you helping yourself, you are also safeguarding your neighbour.

    ESB Networks staff are always available, always on-call, only ever a phone call away..

    Emergency phone no. Phone 1850 372 999 (24 hour/7 day service)

    Always Farm Safely With Electricity.

    For more information: click here

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