A CAMPAIGN to reduce dangerous incidents involving contact with overhead, underground and fallen powerlines was launched on the weekend.
Energex’s executive general manager distribution Paul Jordon said the joint Ergon and Energex campaign reminded people of the risks of electrical hazards.
“What this campaign highlights is that we deal with lines of all sorts on a daily basis – we line up at checkouts, we play inside the lines on sporting fields, we learn our lines for presentations, we cross railway lines, the list goes on and on,” Mr Jordon said.
“Any contact with a live powerline has the potential to cause death or severe injury.
“Whether you’re doing home maintenance, clearing gutters or pruning trees before storm season, driving a vehicle or operating machinery, it is important to understand the risks and stay well clear of powerlines.”
Mr Jordon said vehicles came into contact with the electricity network every day and the consequences could be fatal.
The messages to be promoted through the campaign included that if powerlines had come down on a vehicle, staying inside the vehicle until emergency services arrived was the safest.
“It’s also essential that bystanders ignore their natural instinct to come to the assistance of the vehicle occupants and instead they should maintain a safe distance of at least 10 metres,” he said.
“A less obvious but all too common electrical hazard is caused by vehicles running over green pillar boxes and exposing underground wires, which people should also stay well clear of.
“A risk closer to home is the service line that connects individual properties with the poles and wires. Anyone working on the roof, trimming tall trees or driving a high vehicle in the vicinity of that live wire needs to take care and stay line aware.
Mr Jordon said people should always assume fallen powerlines were alive, stay well clear of hazards, warn others and report the lines via triple zero (000) or Ergon on 13 16 70.
“Raising awareness about the range of risks is critical and our message to our customers and communities is simple – Take Care, Stay Line Aware,” Mr Jordon said.
