Farms rely on electrical equipment every day, making it essential to manage the associated risks. Regular checks and safe work practices help prevent shocks, fires and serious injuries.
Powerlines, power points, switchboards and residual current devices
Electrical hazards on farms can arise from overhead and underground powerlines, as well as power cords, fittings, machinery, tools and electrical installations. Identify and assess these hazards for the likelihood and severity of potential injury or harm and develop safe work procedures to control them. Any suspect items should be immediately removed from service, tagged out and either isolated or kept in a safe place until repaired or discarded.
RCDs (residual current devices) provide a high level of personal protection from electric shock because they switch off immediately when electricity ‘leaks’ to earth at a harmful level.
To help manage electrical risks on farms, take the following precautions:
- check the location of overhead and underground power lines before work starts
- inspect, check and test electrical installations regularly
- keep flammable chemicals more than 1 m away from sources of energy
- waterproof or protect outside power boards from water
- clearly label main isolation switches and RCDs and ensure they are accessible.
Plugs, leads and damage
A competent person, such as an electrician, should regularly inspect and test wiring, cords, plugs, tools and equipment.
Electrical equipment should be inspected for visible damage, such as deteriorated insulation or evidence of shorting or sparking. Tools with damaged casings, cords or plugs must not be used. To help reduce electrical risks:
- inspect tools and leads for damage
- use heavy duty extension leads suitable for the work environment
- wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when using electrical tools
- fit RCDs to electrical installations where handheld and portable electrical tools are used.
Resources and guidance
- First steps to farm safety: Guide
This guide provides farmers with a foundation for establishing good safety practices on farms. Note the checklists in this guide are not exhaustive and cover the key points to get you started. - Accessing your property, Western Power
Western Power may need to access your property to assess the condition of our power poles. Power poles and wires need to be inspected regularly to make sure they are safe and do not pose a risk to individuals and communities. - Farming safely around electrical assets, Horizon Power
Horizon Power provides information on maintaining a safe and reliable power supply for you, your family, employees and the community. - Health and Safety Bulletin No. 8 Mobile cranes contacting live overhead power lines
This health and safety bulletin shares details about incidents involving mobile cranes making contact with live overhead powerlines. - Guidelines for work in the vicinity of overhead power lines
This guide outlines the process and requirements for working near overhead power lines that supply electricity to homes and other buildings. - Farming & agriculture industry safety, Western Power
This webpage provides information on how you can keep safe when you're working near Western Power’s electricity network. - Electrical hazards
This video show how to stay safe on the farm with essential electrical safety tips on RCD testing, powerlines, damaged equipment, power poles and trees near powerlines.