Staying safe around powerlines when making deliveries on farms

Do you deliver things to farms with overhead powerlines? Here are some ways to stay safe.

Tips for delivery companies

Ask for information about overhead powerlines and other hazards before accepting work on farms. Always communicate these hazards to your drivers.
Have a rule where drivers get out of their vehicle before unloading to:
- ask about overhead powerlines
- look for overhead powerlines.
Remind drivers that overhead powerlines may be very hard to see, particularly on cloudy days or with hills in the background.
Make sure drivers are aware of the dimensions of the delivery vehicle. This includes the tipper height when fully extended. Many semi-trailer tippers are more than 9 metres tall when fully extended.
When you are asked to deliver something near a powerline, ask if there is somewhere else it can be delivered.
Think about fitting electrical proximity detectors to your vehicles.
Ask if there's going to be anyone on site to supervise the delivery.

A handy acronym to remember before entering a farm is STOP.

Before entering a farm, stop the vehicle and take a moment to assess the environment. If you haven't already, ask the farmer or manager if there are overhead powerlines on the property and where they are located.
Think about the safest route to the delivery spot. Don't deliver things near overhead powerlines of any height. If this isn't possible, make sure the direction of travel when unloading is away from the powerlines.
Before you make the delivery, get out of your vehicle and look for overhead powerlines. Remember they can sometimes be hard to see.
Only proceed if you are confident the route is safe and well away from powerlines. Remember, something doesn't have to touch a powerline for it to be fatal. Electricity can arc if equipment or machinery gets too close.

If you're in a vehicle that hits or arcs a powerline, stay in the vehicle and call 000.

If you see someone hit a powerline, stay at least eight metres away and call 000.