ESB Networks Autumn Safety Series 2026: Respect electricity on the farm

Now that the harvest is over, farmers will have an opportunity to take a few minutes to bring farm safety to the forefront of their thoughts and plan for the coming season.

A major danger for everyone on all farms is working with machinery near overhead electricity power lines. Coming close to these live wires is extremely hazardous and can be fatal.

Typical farm machinery can easily reach overhead electricity wires. Forage harvesters, combine harvesters, tipping trailers, and moving high loads where there are overhead wires are major risks.

There have been two recent incidents where serious injuries have been sustained after overhead electricity lines were struck.

These incidents highlight the importance of staying clear of overhead lines when using machinery on the farm.

ESB Networks advise the following to help farmers and contractors when working near overhead electricity lines.

If high machinery frequently operates near overhead lines, consult ESB Networks to discuss options;

If using GPS guidance systems, please ensure that accurate electricity pole and tower location information is used;

Look around you and identify where overhead wires, poles and stays are located;

Steer clear of poles and stay wires;

Do not raise booms, tipper lorries, cranes, ladders, scaffolding, or telescopic handlers near overhead wires;

Never try to lift electricity wires – if they are low, contact ESB Networks immediately;

Never tip materials or store bales underneath overhead electricity wires;

Avoid crossing beneath electricity wires and work parallel to the wires.

If a pole is struck, the live electricity wires could fall and may land on the cab or make contact with any attached machinery, putting the driver and anyone else who comes near or touches the equipment at risk of electrocution.

Stay wires are necessary to keep electricity wires at a safe height over ground for the farmer, their families, and their neighbours.

When a stay wire is struck, it will either break itself or worse, break the pole and cause the wires to fall.

Our advice is to always report any damage, however small.

Contact ESB Networks

We are here to help – before carrying out any works near overhead electricity wires contact ESB Networks 1800 372 757 for advice

If there is a safety issue with clearances over fields or other problems with poles, ring ESB Networks immediately.

ESB Networks staff will always respond to these emergencies, but it is each person’s responsibility to recognise the potential for danger and act safely where there are risks associated with electricity.

Contact, or even coming close to electricity wires can be fatal – electricity can jump gaps.

Remember: there are no second chances with electricity.

If an accident situation arises where any part of your machine is in contact with the electricity line, follow these steps:

Stay in the cab and call ESB Networks at 1800 372 999 ;

Provide the GPS or Eircode for the location;

Keep everyone else clear – at least 10m;

If you exit the cab (e.g., because of fire), jump clear and take short steps until you are 10m clear;

Do not return or approach the cab or touch any part of the machine until ESB Networks tells you it is safe to do so.

Do not, under any circumstances, handle electricity wires or anything that may be in contact with the electricity wires.

ESB Networks Farm Safety Booklet

At ESB Networks, safety is at the heart of everything we do and our Farm Safety Booklet is the essential guidance to help you stay safe around electricity infrastructure when carrying out agricultural tasks and activities on your farm.

Designed to help farmers, contractors, and rural workers stay safe around electricity, whether you’re planning construction, cutting timber, or simply moving machinery around the farm – this booklet is your go-to resource for staying safe.

Download your copy here today

If you have any concerns, please phone ESB Networks immediately. In an emergency situation the