SA Power Networks | Farm safety is paramount
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Farm Safety – remain vigilant around powerlines and poles
Across South Australia, farm machinery hits poles and wires around 20 times a year. The 2026 seeding season has already seen 17 of these incidents, which are potentially deadly.
Powerlines and poles can be easy to miss when focused on the job. On Eyre Peninsula, hitting power poles is a recurrent issue. There are some simple steps to take to stay safe, and also avoid causing a major outage:
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Check the machinery height is under three metres
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Lower equipment before moving off
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Always stay alert to what’s above and around the work area
- GPS equipment should also not be relied upon to avoid poles. Some older powerlines can hang lower than expected, and parking machinery under any line is never a good idea.
The free Look up and Live app contains information about where powerlines run. For more information and advice, head to the Farm Safety section on the SA Power Networks website.