Latest News

Look Up and Live Near Overhead Powerlines

31 March 2008

In an incident earlier this year, a young man received a serious electric shock and burn injuries when a powerline fell onto the roof of an earth mover. The victim was lucky to be alive after the excavator rolled back and hit a power pole resulting in a 22,000 volt conductor falling onto the machine.

In 2006, two truck drivers and a farmer were electrocuted when vehicles touched powerlines on farms in Victoria.

Director of Energy Safety, Mr Ken Gardner, said that everyone involved in the delivery of materials to farms must exercise the appropriate duty of care.

Powercor and Energy Safe Victoria have introduced a number of initiatives to stress the “Look Up And Live” message to farmers and drivers.

A television commercial directly targeting truck drivers and farmers will be screened throughout regional Victoria over coming weeks. Radio commercials from ESV and Powercor will also be aired.

Look Up And Live” brochures, stickers and posters are being distributed throughout the State. The overriding message of the brochure is: “Be Alert, Be Aware – Overhead Powerlines Are Always There. One of the stickers, which can be placed on the inside of windscreens, details the safe working distances which must be observed between trucks, machinery and power poles.