ESB Networks Spring Safety Series: Safety when working near electricity (2025)

Agriland Media Groupis delighted to collaborate withESB Networks to bring you the ESB Networks Spring Safety Series.

In any occupation, safety tips are important to know. Everyday tasks eventually become second nature and we can do them almost without thinking. However, there is nowhere more dangerous than on the farm.

While the hazards on any farm are many, electricity lines in particular pose a deadly risk if they are not given the respect they deserve.

Spring Safety Series tips

To keep you safe as we go through the coming month, ESB Networks has put together 10 tips for safer farming in the presence of electricity:

1. Understand that electricity lines are always live, and that electricity always seeks the shortest, easiest path to the ground – including through people;
2. Identify all overhead electricity lines prior to beginning work using tools or heavy machinery. This includes ladders, trimmers, strimmers, and saws, as well as spray booms, cranes, tipper lorries, grain augers, or other farm machinery;
3. Always check if there are buried cables and services before digging. Email [emailprotected] or call 1800 372 757 to get maps of ESB network cables;
4. When traversing fields, plan your route to maintain a safe distance from overhead lines, stay wires and electricity poles. Where possible, work parallel to lines rather than crossing under them. Electricity can ‘arc’ or jump gaps, meaning you do not need to make contact with the line to be at risk;
5. Remember, liquids and electricity are a dangerous combination. Exercise extreme caution when using power washing or irrigation equipment, or spreading slurry near overhead lines;
6. Call ESB Networks on 1800 372 999 if your tractor, machinery or any other attachment comes in contact with an overhead line, and remain in the cab until the electricity has been shut off by an ESB Networks technician. A wrong move could result in serious injury or death. Warn others to keep their distance. If you must exit the cab, jump clear of the tractor and land with both feet, taking care to avoid touching the ground with your hands. Then, take short steps until you are safely 10m away;
7. Avoid storing silage or other materials near power lines. This increases the chance that a loader may come in contact with the power lines;
8. Always use a licensed electrician for all repairs or new installations, including electric fences and stand-by generators. Such generators require a proper changeover switch at the main distribution board and should never be plugged into an electrical socket;
9. Never touch fallen wires, or handle livestock that may be in contact with electricity wires. Notify ESB Networks of any fallen lines immediately;
10. In an emergency, call ESB Networks’ 24/7 service on 1800 372 999 with the GPS coordinates or the Eircode for your location.

Save this number in your mobile phone today: 1800 372 999.