QFF teams up with power distributors to improve farm safety

QFF Teams Up With Power Distributors to Improve Farm Safety

Queensland Farmers' Federation (QFF) has partnered with electricity distributors Ergon Energy Network and Energex to offer farmers belonging to any of QFF's 21 industry members a 50 per cent co-contribution to install overhead warning markers which indicate powerlines, helping improve safety in rural workplaces. This is the second round of this rebate initiative following a successful first round in September 2021.

QFF CEO Jo Sheppard said overhead power lines pose a significant risk to farm safety.

Why Powerline Visibility Matters for Farm Safety

"Any farming business with overhead powerlines on their property, especially within close proximity or directly overhead of farming activities, should have a powerline safety plan in place and install rotamarkers to increase visibility and reduce the risk of contact," Sheppard said.

• Powerlines can be difficult to spot across open paddocks, particularly during harvest or spraying operations
• Rotamarkers offer a practical, low-cost solution for reducing contact risk
• Farmers operating machinery near overhead lines face heightened electrical hazards year-round

"Last year, there were 54 agricultural incidents involving overhead powerline contact across Queensland," Sheppard noted. "Powerlines can be very difficult to see, and the installation of rotamarkers is a practical and effective measure to reduce the risk of contact."

Electrical Safety Office Highlights Ongoing Risks

Head of Queensland's Electrical Safety Office, Ms Donna Heelan, said that in the past six years, six people have been killed in overhead powerline incidents. She noted farmers, construction workers and transport workers face a higher risk of electrical harm than most other occupations.

This rebate scheme reflects a broader push across Queensland's agricultural sector to strengthen electrical safety policy on working farms. Energex and Ergon Energy Network, both part of Queensland's energy supply network, continue supporting initiatives that reduce preventable incidents for growers and rural businesses alike.

Building a Stronger Safety Culture Across Australia's Agricultural Sector

Rural workplaces across Australia face unique hazards, from machinery operation to emergency response challenges when help is far away. Investing in visible safety measures like rotamarkers complements broader emergency preparedness efforts on farms, including electrical safety training and clear incident reporting procedures.

Farming operations that also run solar installations should note that overhead powerline awareness remains just as critical near solar infrastructure, since maintenance and inspection work often brings workers close to existing power connections. Solar panel installers and farm workers alike benefit from the same rotamarker visibility measures, and solar system owners should factor powerline proximity into their own safety planning.

For more information on the rebate initiative, read the full story on the Queensland Farmers' Federation (QFF) website.

Related Farm Safety Resources

• Increased funding to improve farm safety in Tasmania
• Farm Safety Week 2022
• Learning sessions aim to improve the safety of female farm workers in NSW
• Working with Livestock SOP
• Working with Horses SOP
• Electrical Safety Policy
• Safety Software

Businesses seeking tailored electrical safety documentation for their industry can visit our support page for guidance on selecting the right templates for their operation.