Powerlines on agricultural land pose significant risk as they are difficult to see and there is no immediate and persistent reminder of their location, even in situations where farmers or vehicle operators know where they are. Unfortunately, in the past six years, 52 serious electrical incidents involving overhead powerlines have occurred in Queensland, and six people have died. Queensland farmers bear the important responsibility of ensuring they, their workers and other people on-farm are clear about their health and safety responsibilities and it's a duty they take very seriously. During Electricity Safety Week, it is important to raise awareness of the dangers above and consider mitigation methods.
Any farming business with overhead powerlines on their property that plants, harvests, sprays, irrigates or uses aerial applications should have a powerline safety plan and install overhead powerline markers to increase visibility and help prevent contact. At $100 each, rotamarkers are an affordable solution to help alert farmers, workers, contractors, visitors and family members and maintain a constant reminder of where overhead powerlines are located. To encourage more farmers to use rotamarkers on their properties, the Queensland Farmers' Federation has partnered with Ergon Energy Network and Energex to offer farmers belonging to any of QFF's 20 industry members a 50 per cent co-contribution to install up to 10 rotamarkers on their properties. Together with their Look Up And Live mapping app, which the eligibility criteria of the program requires to be downloaded, farmers will have oversight of what powerlines are on or near their property and implement control measures making it safer for everyone.
Farmers make up just a small fraction of Queensland's total workforce but sadly make up a large number of workplace deaths and serious injuries, with the sector one of the most dangerous to work in due to the combination of hazards including heavy plant and machinery, chemicals, noise, dust, sun and heat exposure, working with animals, alone or in remote locations. Therefore, it is important that farmers understand and prioritise their health and safety responsibilities and build a safety culture on their properties.
