There are typically 10 to 20 incidents involving farm machinery and electricity poles in Ireland every year, according to ESB Networks.
Warnings have been issued to farmers in the UK about the dangers of over-reliance on GPS after a tractor brought down a 132,000V line near Grantham in England. This is not a problem witnessed to date in Ireland, the ESB told the Irish Farmers Journal. “We have not, as yet, observed any increase associated with the use of GPS and auto-steer technology. We are vigilant and conscious of the potential for complacency by users of such technology,” ESB Networks safety manager Arthur Byrne said, outlining the kind of accidents that can occur.
In one incident, he said that a tractor hit a stay attached to 20,000V live electricity causing the pole to break. As a result, the transformer and other electrical equipment fell on to the cab of the tractor.
In another case, a tractor hit a 20,000V live electricity line and brought down the wires onto the cab. The driver rang the ESB Networks emergency number, avoiding what could have been a very serious incident, Byrne said. The minimum safe distance from electricity wires is three metres, horizontally and vertically and six metres for silage pits. It is more for higher voltage lines.
If machinery comes in contact with wires, the following guidelines are advised:
Stay in the cab.Keep everyone else clear of the scene, by at least 5m.Phone ESB Networks immediately.If possible, reverse out of the contact situation.If you exit the cab (eg because of fire), jump clear and take short steps until you are 5m clear.Do not return to the cab.Do not touch the line or anything the line may be in contact with.The emergency number is 1850 372 999 (24/7 service).
Read more
Watch: UK accident highlights risk of tractor GPS around power lines
Farmers warned to take care of overhead wires
There are typically 10 to 20 incidents involving farm machinery and electricity poles in Ireland every year, according to ESB Networks.
Warnings have been issued to farmers in the UK about the dangers of over-reliance on GPS after a tractor brought down a 132,000V line near Grantham in England. This is not a problem witnessed to date in Ireland, the ESB told the Irish Farmers Journal. “We have not, as yet, observed any increase associated with the use of GPS and auto-steer technology. We are vigilant and conscious of the potential for complacency by users of such technology,” ESB Networks safety manager Arthur Byrne said, outlining the kind of accidents that can occur.
In one incident, he said that a tractor hit a stay attached to 20,000V live electricity causing the pole to break. As a result, the transformer and other electrical equipment fell on to the cab of the tractor.
In another case, a tractor hit a 20,000V live electricity line and brought down the wires onto the cab. The driver rang the ESB Networks emergency number, avoiding what could have been a very serious incident, Byrne said. The minimum safe distance from electricity wires is three metres, horizontally and vertically and six metres for silage pits. It is more for higher voltage lines.
If machinery comes in contact with wires, the following guidelines are advised:
Stay in the cab.Keep everyone else clear of the scene, by at least 5m.Phone ESB Networks immediately.If possible, reverse out of the contact situation.If you exit the cab (eg because of fire), jump clear and take short steps until you are 5m clear.Do not return to the cab.Do not touch the line or anything the line may be in contact with.The emergency number is 1850 372 999 (24/7 service).
Read more
Watch: UK accident highlights risk of tractor GPS around power lines
Farmers warned to take care of overhead wires
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