Staying Safe on the Farm

Examples of actual previous accidents:

• Welding in a farm shed
• Electric fence connected to 230 Volts ac rather than through the electric fence unit
• Milking machine became live due to faulty wiring
• A silage harvester made contact with a 10,000 Volt (10kV) overhead electricity wire
• Cutting timber close to a 20,000 Volt (20kV) overhead electricity wire.
• Power washing a cow shed using an extension lead
• Deaths have occurred due to accidental contact with 'live' electricity.  It is very important to be aware of potential dangers and to always make safety a priority.
• Typical farm machinery can easily reach an overhead electricity wire.  Operating forage harvesters, combine harvesters or tipping trailers and moving high loads near overhead electricity wires are high risk activities.
• Ensure that poles, stay-wires and protective earth wires are not damaged during farming work.  

National Wiring Rules for Electrical Installations

The National Wiring Rules for Electrical Installations make specific provisions for agricultural and horticultural premises. For example the rules specify what type of switches, sockets, plug tops and light fittings must be used in farm installations. Domestic fittings should never be used for farm installations.