This is a subscriber-only article
The year 2016 saw 13 serious incidents involving hedge-cutting, when people either damaged poles, stay wires, or came dangerously close to contacting electricity wires. Eleven such incidents were reported in 2015.
Tragically in 2015, there was a fatality to a member of the public. A man was electrocuted when he made contact with overhead electricity wires when cutting hedging in his garden.
Emer Murphy, public safety supervisor at ESB Networks, believes incidents like these are avoidable if people can raise their awareness towards the issue.
“The most important thing is that people are aware of safety around the hedge-cutting season. Like all aspects of farm safety, awareness is so important,” she says. “Every year we are seeing incidents where people are injured when they come in contact with poles or stay wires.”
Ten-metre rule
It is advised by EBS Networks that a 10-metre safe area around poles and stay wires should be observed in order to reduce danger.
Murphy also advises that if any hedge-cutting is being carried out that breaks this 10-metre rule, the ESB should be notified.
“If you cut within 10 metres of a wire or stay wire, the risk of cutting the wire and coming in contact with the wire is far too great,” she explains. “It may be a delay in your work to contact the ESB, but not doing it is far too dangerous.”
ESB engagement
With Farm Safety week drawing to a close, feedback has been positive. While educating farmers has been a central theme to the week, Murphy highlighted that contact with farmers is key to raising awareness.
“We speak with lots of farmers about the issue of staying safe around electricity. I talk with UCD students at Lyons farm, Teagasc students, school children and the Ploughing Championships are a huge one. We love to her feedback from farmers,” says Murphy.
“Come and talk to us. We want farmers to tell us the issues they have. We are totally committed to helping farmers and keeping them safe,” she concluded.
SHARING OPTIONS: