General Safety Hints for Around the Farm

When you're using electricity it pays to keep alert at all times. Always report a broken or damaged earth wire to Marlborough Lines or your electrician. The earth wire is your safety guard.  Take care when working the ground near buried cables. Marlborough Lines can assist you by locating the buried cables.

BRIGHT IDEAS for    Safety in the Home    Safety on the Farm

 If an overhead line is broken during a storm or an accident you must stay well away. Contact Marlborough Lines Fault Service and advise us of the location. We will disconnect the power supply to make the area safe

Electric Fences
Always ensure that the manufacturers instructions are adhered to when installing an electric fence unit. If not properly installed, stray current and voltage could affect other appliances.

Electric Motors
There are several types of electric motor and it is important to select one that has adequate power for its task. Marlborough Lines can provide advice on the most appropriate type for your requirements. Modern motors are rated for only the name plate power and will stand practically no overload.

If you intend to increase the load on a motor by altering pulley sizes or saw blade sizes etc, have a registered electrical tradesperson check that the motor is capable of carrying the increased load and the overload protection is operating and set correctly. Taking these simple precautions should mean that your motor gives you years of safe and trouble-free operation with minimal maintenance.

Typical motor appliances and the power required:
Pressure water supply system 2300/3600litres/hour 1.5Kw
Single shearing stand .24Kw
Concrete mixer .24Kw
Milking plant 2.25 Kw
10" Circular saw 1.5Kw

Overhead Power Lines Overhead Wires are a major source of danger on the farm. You should be aware of all the potential risks on your property. Never climb on a roof or in trees where there are live wire nearby. Contact Marlborough Lines before painting, trimming trees or doing any work around power lines.

If you need to work around power lines call us and we will make the area safe by isolating the supply to protect you against electric shocks while you are working. This service is free of charge.
If you are using a machine such as a crane or an excavator you must not work within 4 metres in any direction of an overhead power line. You can only work closer if you have written permission from us. Again this costs nothing. We will visit the site and check out the risks at no cost to you.

As well as these basic safety rules there are some specific things that you can do to minimise the risk of an accident involving overhead wires.

Irrigation Machines

When operating irrigation equipment or moving pipes look up to see if any power wires are in the vicinity. A brief glance up may save you from serious injury. For your safety don't operate your irrigation equipment within 4 metres of overhead power lines. Never stack irrigation pipes under a power line - this is inviting trouble.

When moving mobile irrigators on uneven ground under power wires be especially wary of the ends of the boom flicking up into power lines. If you're moving the irrigator with a tractor and you inadvertently come into contact with a power line, always jump clear of the tractor. This is the safest way to dismount. Then stop anyone else from going near it and call Marlborough Lines immediately