National Grid urges Welsh farmers to ‘Look Out, Look Up’ during Farm Safety Week
National Grid urges Welsh farmers to ‘Look Out, Look Up’ during Farm Safety Week
Subscribe to the Businessin Wales daily newsletter for FREE here.
As Farm Safety Week (21–25 July) continues, National Grid Electricity Distribution is urging farmers across Wales to take simple but potentially life-saving steps when operating machinery near overhead power lines.
The electricity network operator, which serves South and West Wales, the Midlands, and South West England, is promoting the clear and direct message: ‘Look out, look up’ to reduce the risk of accidents involving agricultural equipment and live power lines.
The reminder comes amid ongoing concern about the frequency of such incidents. It is estimated that at least one encounter between farm machinery and overhead power lines is reported every day in the UK. These incidents can result in serious injury or, in rare cases, fatalities. They also risk widespread disruption to electricity supplies, affecting homes, businesses, and vital services.
As agricultural equipment continues to grow in size and reach, National Grid warns that the space between machinery and power lines is narrowing, making awareness and caution more important than ever.
“We know the importance of farming is to the UK, how hard farmers work, and how much they rely on their equipment to get the job done. But we also know how dangerous it can be when machinery gets too close to live power lines,” said Christopher Cleveland, Head of Safety at National Grid Electricity Distribution.
“That’s why we’re urging everyone in the farming community to take a moment to ‘look out and look up’ before starting work. A few seconds of awareness can save lives.
“We’re committed to supporting Welsh farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe.”
National Grid staff are also present this week at the Royal Welsh Show, answering safety questions and raising awareness among farmers and rural businesses.
Key Safety Guidance for Working Near Power Lines
- As part of its ongoing campaign, National Grid is encouraging farmers to follow a series of safety precautions:
- Never raise elevating equipment, such as spray booms, cabbage harvesters, or trailer bodies, under or near power lines.
- Avoid storing or moving materials beneath overhead lines, which reduces safe clearance.
- Know your equipment’s maximum reach and height, and stay alert even when using GPS—accidents can still happen.
- Do not assume fallen lines are safe—the area around a fallen wire, including soil and objects, may still be live.
In the event of contact with a power line, National Grid advises farm workers to:
- Stay in the cab and try to drive clear if possible.
- Remain inside the vehicle and call 105 if unable to move safely.
- Exit only in emergencies, and then without touching the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Use leaping strides or ‘bunny hop’ with feet together to move away.
To assist with emergency responses, farmers are also encouraged to use the What3Words app to provide precise location data to emergency services and engineers, helping to reduce response times and enhance safety.
Want more from Businessin Wales? Why not follow us on our socials
Listen to the Businessin Wales podcast
