A wake-up call for the agricultural industry

Planning is critical in identifying powerline infrastructure that poses a high risk during harvesting and haul out operations.

Installing rotamarkers in these high-risk areas provides a highly effective visual warning and can play a vital role in preventing deadly contacts with overhead powerlines.

Over the last twelve months in Queensland, our crews have responded to 47 incidents involving agricultural vehicles, including 11 cane harvesters, six tractors, four aircraft, three excavators, three spray rigs and three tip trucks.

Principal community safety specialist Glen ‘Cookie’ Cook said 49% of incidents involved contact with the high-voltage network, and the statistics should be a wake-up call for the industry because lives are on the line.

“Whether you are a veteran canegrower or a newcomer hauling out in an unfamiliar area for the first time, you cannot afford to be complacent when you are working near overhead powerlines.

“We have some powerful tools to help you stay safe, including the Look Up and Live powerline mapping application, tailored safety advice, and our rotamarker incentive program,” Cookie said.

As part of the long-running program to support the agriculture, construction and aviation industries, Ergon crews will install up to ten rotamarkers per property at a reduced cost of $100 each fully installed.

This year alone hundreds more red and white spinning powerline markers have been installed across regional Queensland, especially in farming areas, at major road works and building sites.

“Rotamarkers are a very effective, eye-catching reminder, instantly bringing powerline hazards to the front of mind, because no one wants to put themselves in danger,” Cookie said.

“At $100 each, they are an affordable and worthwhile investment in farm safety, especially important in high-risk areas where you are operating a lot of harvesting or haul-out machinery or using aircraft to spray crops.

“You can have all the tools at your fingertips to plan safe work, but you also need to use common sense and keep your wits about you when you are behind the wheel or the controls.

“For example, we have seen incidents where operators have forgotten to lower haul-out bins and driven off without noticing, bringing down dozens of powerlines and causing widespread power outages in the community.

“Look Up and Live is more than a slogan, it’s a reminder to always have a plan, to keep powerline hazards front of mind, and nothing beats strong situational awareness and a switched-on safety observer.

“You need to be hyper aware of the dimensions of your vehicle, your proximity to powerlines and safe clearances.”

When it is time to plant, growers should plan to leave a five-metre buffer around any power poles and stay wires to reduce the risk of vehicles hitting them and bringing down powerlines.

“Anything you can do prevent someone from being killed or badly injured is worth doing,” Cookie said.