SA farmers urged to prioritise safety around powerlines

South Australia's electricity provider SA Power Networks is calling on farmers to prioritise safety around powerlines after two incidents involving farm machinery contacting powerlines occurred within just three days of each other.

Quick summary: SA Power Networks has recorded 65 incidents involving farm equipment and powerlines since January 2021. The provider urges farmers to confirm powerline locations before starting work, maintain safe clearance distances, and treat all overhead electrical infrastructure as live at all times.

Rising Incidents Prompt Renewed Safety Warning

Since January 2021, 65 incidents involving farm machinery contacting powerlines have been reported across the state. This recent spate of hazardous near-misses has reinforced why farm safety management remains a critical priority during busy harvest periods.

"Understandably everyone is keen to get the crops in, but in the rush, they can potentially put themselves and others at life-threatening risk," said Paul Roberts, Head of Corporate Affairs at SA Power Networks.

"This is a positive time on many farms, but an accident would make it disastrous," Mr Roberts said.

"Powerlines can be difficult to see, so confirming their location before you start work could avoid serious injury or even save a life."

Why Farmers Are Urged to Prioritise Safety Around Powerlines

Farm machinery has grown taller and wider over recent decades, increasing contact risk with overhead electrical assets. Harvesters, augers and mobile silos frequently operate close to power infrastructure, making awareness of electrical hazards essential for anyone working paddocks near powerlines.

SA Power Networks recommends farmers:

• Identify and map powerline locations before beginning any seasonal work
• Treat every overhead line as live, since electrical current can arc even without direct contact
• Maintain safe clearance distances when moving tall or wide machinery
• Communicate hazardous zones clearly to all workers and contractors on site
• Report any near-miss incidents to help improve community awareness

Effective risk management on farms depends on proactive planning rather than reactive response. Similar warnings have been issued in other states — Queensland residents have also been urged to stay alert around powerlines, reflecting a national pattern of electrical safety concerns across rural and regional communities.

Supporting Farm Safety With Strong Management Systems

Robust safety management underpins every successful farm operation, particularly when electrical hazards intersect with heavy machinery use. Businesses across construction, manufacturing and agriculture rely on documented procedures to reduce risk exposure and demonstrate compliance obligations.

Farm operators seeking to strengthen their electrical safety management framework can benefit from a dedicated Electrical Safety Policy outlining clear protocols for working near live infrastructure. Pairing policy documentation with a practical Electrical Safety Checklist helps teams verify clearance distances and hazard identification steps before machinery moves into the field.

Establishing clear workplace safety rules also ensures every worker, contractor and family member understands expected behaviour around powerlines, reducing ambiguity during high-pressure harvest windows.

A Broader Push for Workplace Safety Across Australia

This SA Power Networks appeal follows a wider trend of industry bodies urging Australians to prioritise safety across various sectors. Victorian businesses have recently been urged to prioritise forklift safety, while broader campaigns have seen Australians urged to prioritise workplace safety during dedicated awareness months.

These parallel campaigns highlight a consistent theme: electricity infrastructure, heavy machinery and time pressure combine to create hazardous conditions unless proactive management practices are embedded into daily operations.

Strengthening Safety Documentation and Digital Tools

Digital tools increasingly support farm safety management by enabling faster incident reporting and hazard tracking. Exploring dedicated Safety Software services can help farm businesses centralise documentation, track compliance and streamline reporting obligations across multiple properties.

For operators seeking tailored guidance on implementing these services, SafetyDocs offers dedicated support services to help businesses select and implement the right safety management resources for their specific operational needs.

Key Takeaway

SA farmers urged to prioritise safety around powerlines should treat this reminder as an opportunity to review existing procedures well before machinery returns to paddocks. Confirming powerline locations, maintaining safe distances and reinforcing hazard awareness among workers remains the most effective way to prevent life-threatening incidents during harvest season.

Read more from SA Power Networks here.