Focus on powerline safety during cane harvest season

With cane harvest season approaching, growers, contractors and workers are reminded to stay alert around powerlines.

During the season, an increase in motorised agricultural machinery will move through paddocks, roadways and around overhead powerlines increasing the risk of contact.

Powerlines are not always as easy to judge as they appear - they can sag, sway or sit lower than expected depending on weather conditions throughout the day, meaning what looks like a safe clearance may not be safe at all.

For experienced operators, these risks are well-known. However, harvest is a busy time, with long days and demanding workloads. Workers are reminded to implement the below steps to reduce the chance of an incident occurring:

• take the time to know the height and reach of machinery before entering the paddock
• travel down roadways or approaching dwellings with care, factoring powerlines into job planning
• ensure workers on site understand where the risks are.

Where work must be carried out close to overhead powerlines, additional precautions may be required. Carefully plan the tasks to be completed near powerlines and work away from them whenever possible.

Induct workers and contractors by outlining the safe distance from the exclusion zone around an overhead powerline by marking it on the ground or the placement of physical barriers.

Workplaces can request safety advice from electricity entities including requests to paint power poles and install visible markers to increase awareness.

Raised or extended equipment can quickly become a hazard if overhead powerlines are not considered. Lowering machinery when moving between work areas is a simple but effective way to reduce the risk.

If a powerline is brought down, always assume it is live. If machinery contacts a powerline, the safest option is to stay inside the cab unless there is an immediate danger, such as fire.

Coming into contact with live powerlines can cause significant damage to machinery including tyre pyrolysis–tyres exploding due to a chemical reaction–and electronic systems.

More information

To plan and inform your workers and contractors of the risks and safety controls go to Electrical safety in the rural industry page.