SOUTH Australian Power Networks have re-issued a warning to farmers across the state to be vigilant around electricity infrastructure on their properties.
It follows three tractors hitting poles in just 24 hours earlier this week, putting lives at risk.
SA Power Networks corporate affairs manager Paul Roberts said each of the incidents could have been tragic.
“Getting the crops planted should not be a matter of life or death,” Mr Roberts said.
“While we can only urge farmers to be power line aware, there is a clear need within the rural sector to address this issue as lives are at risk.”
While this week’s three incidents were outside the Limestone Coast region, Mr Roberts said similar accidents occurred across the state each year.
“We average about 20 incidents a year involving farm activity across SA,” he said.
“Around 13pc of the 125 incidents between 2012 and early 2017 were in the South East.
“As far as I am aware, the most recent death in South Australia – where farm machinery contacted powerlines – occurred at Nangwarry in the South East in the latter part of 2009.”
Mr Roberts said farmers should address the location of powerlines before any job is undertaken on the farm.
“It is an issue that needs to be discussed at family breakfast – because it is families who will be affected if something goes wrong,” he said.
“It is not hard to identify the poles and wires in a paddock before starting work and that simple action might save a life and lot of heartache.
“We know everyone wants to take advantage of some good and long-awaited rain, but not at any cost.”
