Two dangerous incidents involving farm machinery hitting power lines in regional South Australia in less than a week has sparked a warning about farm safety around powerlines.
Since January 2021, 65 incidents have occurred across the state where various farm machinery has hit powerlines or poles.
Two of those incidents occurred in the same week this month — one on the Eyre Peninsula involving a sprayer and one on Yorke Peninsula involving an auger.
Paul Roberts, Head of Corporate Affairs at SA Power Networks, said no-one was injured in the incidents.
"I would suggest the incident with the auger was a potential fatal risk incident given that someone would've been moving that auger and they contacted 19,000 volts … so incredibly lucky," he said.
He said most of the incidents happen across the state's broadacre farming areas and involve tractors, seeders, harvesters, spray booms and augers.
"Understandably, everyone is keen to get the crops in. But in the rush, they can potentially put themselves and others at life-threatening risk," Mr Roberts said.
"Most of the powerlines on farms are 19,000 volt Single Wire Earth Return powerlines. That is a high voltage that is potentially lethal or that at best will cause significant, long-term injuries."
Mr Roberts urged farmers to check the location of powerlines and Stobie poles before undertaking farm work and cropping.
The Look Up and Live app provides farmers and others undertaking rural activity access to mapped information on the location and voltage of powerlines and poles.
What to do if you hit a powerline
Mr Roberts said if a vehicle struck a powerline, it was best to remain inside the vehicle until help arrived.
He urged those involved to contact SA Power Networks immediately.
"Do not move from your vehicle until SA Power Networks confirms the line is safe," Mr Roberts said.
"Others in the vicinity also should keep well clear of the vehicle until SA Power Networks confirms the line is safe."
He said even if power is turned off in an area there was still a risk.
"Our crews will come and confirm the line is safe because even when you turn off the power there may be some residual energy in the line so that line needs to be tested and confirmed safe."
The last death on an SA farm was in 2009 in the South East when the spray arm of a truck struck a powerline.
