

Overhead power lines

People working close to overhead electricity lines and cables often suffer serious injury and death if the work is not properly controlled. The most common accidents involve a vehicle being driven into power lines or part of a vehicle being raised into them. A lack of training and poor management of the risks cause many of these accidents. The following examples show how easily deaths and serious injuries can occur, but just as importantly, how some straightforward steps could have prevented them from occurring.

The downloadable guidance Avoiding danger from overhead power lines describes how to work safely near overhead power lines in a range of industries. You can also download a free leaflet called Safe working near overhead power lines in agriculture.

Inadequate information

Lack of training

Unsafe system of work

Updated 2013-03-28