UK Power Networks Services - Electrical Safety UK

UK Power Networks has launched its Be Bright Stay Safe campaign which calls on associations, businesses and individuals to follow safety advice, in a bid to reduce the number of electrical network incidents that take place on our network each year.

Be Bright Stay Safe seeks to:

Raise awareness of the risks of the distribution network,
Increase understanding of how to work safer around the network,
Motivate people who work around or may come into contact with the distribution network to adopt safe behaviours,
Promote partnership working to share, encourage and promote positive safety conversations – a call to action,
Reduce the number of incidents associated with the electricity network,
Support and endorse ‘Everyone has the right to go home safe after a day’s work’.

We are committed to the safety of our staff and customers. Coming into contact with the electricity network results in serious injuries or even fatalities. This has a far reaching and devastating effect on family, friends and colleagues.

Our campaign aims to support safe working, promote safe behaviours and encourage the sharing of information and knowledge and highlight the real risks of coming into contact with electricity.

See all of the companies that already support our campaign

Please support our pledge to Be Bright Stay Safe

Click the image below to download our Pledge and make a real commitment to safety. Let everyone know that you support safety, encourage positive behaviours and will raise awareness among your colleagues.

Download these leaflets and join the campaign:

Excavation

Underground cables carry a powerful electrical charge which can be conducted through machinery and equipment with fatal consequences. Anyone working close to live underground cables should take the time to read this simple leaflet and identify the precautions they should be taking.

Watch our excavation safety animation

Farming

You could be at risk when:

Using farm machinery such as combine harvesters, tractors and telehandlers
Loading or unloading vehicles
Using long objects such as irrigation pipes and ladders
Stacking materials
Using lorries, wagons or tipper trailers
Working in poor visibility

Watch our Farm safety animation

Overhead Lines

Overhead electricity power lines run across the countryside, supplying local communities with power. The wires can be on wooden poles as well as metal pylons and carry voltages from 230 volts (domestic supply) up to 400,000 volts. Depending on the voltage the wire will be at different heights above the ground.

Watch our Overhead Power Line safety animation

Trade

Low voltage electricity service cables enter properties from underground or at roof level. These cables are not always visible. They can be hidden or out of sight. Under floorboards, behind cavity walls, painted over, in ceilings or behind cladding.

Watch our trade safety animation

Fishing

You could be at risk when:

Using fishing equipment such as fishing rods and their lines. Almost all material can conduct electricity.
Unpacking and packing away equipment - unpack, set up and put away your fishing rod at the water’s edge after you have completed your safety checks.
Fishing in low light conditions - overhead power lines can be very difficult to see in low light conditions, especially at night.

Watch our recreation animation

Haulage

Plan your work so it avoids high risk areas. You should manage the risks if you intend to work within a distance of 10m. Contact UK Power Networks for advice on shrouding or disconnections before starting work.

Watch our Haulage animation

Tree Trimming

Where equipment or machinery is used near overhead power lines the risk must be considered and controlled in the interest of everyone. Download your free safety leaflet

Watch our trade safety animation

General Safety

Every year, people are killed or seriously injured when they come into contact with high voltage electricity.

If you have our electricity equipment on your land or property, UK Power Networks can work with you to provide safety advice and guidance to ensure that you, and anyone using or working on your land, are aware of the risks and stay safe.

Watch our general safety animation

Camping and Caravanning

Look up, Look Out! Distractions, routine, rushing to set up camp can all impact on safety when pitching your caravan or tent.

Watch our recreational safety animation

Watch the overhead line safety film for the haulage and construction industry.

Watch the overhead line safety film for the Agricultural industry

Cab Sticker

Think B4 U Dig

Be Bright Stay Safe Poster

Additional leaflets and resources

Think before you dig sticker

Vehicle cab sticker

Be Bright Stay Safe leaflets Poster [pdf]

Excavation - Think Before You Dig Poster [pdf]

Excavation Stop Think Before you Dig! Article [pdf]

Farming - Harvest Safe Article [pdf]

Farming animation article [pdf]

Farming Pledge Article [pdf]

Farming top tips leaflet [pdf]

Haulage look out look up article [pdf]

Haulage Pledge article [pdf]

Haulage Poster [pdf]

Further safety information

Health, Safety and Sustainability Policy

Be Bright Stay Safe Poster

Harvest Safe

Visit the Health and Safety Executive website

Download GS6 'Avoiding Danger from Overhead Powerlines' guidance note

Download HSG47 'Avoiding Danger from Underground Services' guidance note

Work Safe. Stay Safe. Think Electricity – Safety Article for Tradesperson(s)

Load Safe - Stay Safe - Go home safe

Awards

Planning to construct or work with scaffolding? Be aware of the potential dangers of coming into contact with our electricity network - ‘Work Safe - Think Electricity’. Take a few minutes to watch our safety film and share it with colleagues before starting work - it could save a life.
Haulage Animation Public safety haulage animation aimed at haulage drivers safety when working near to overhead electricity power lines and what to do in an emergency.
Working near electricity cables? This public safety trade animation is aimed at trades peoples working near electricity cables
Farm safety animation If you work in agriculture and operate farm machinery watch our farm safety animation to help keep you safe when working around overhead electricity lines.
Excavation safety animation Public safety animation aimed at the Utility and Construction Industries as well as Builders, Gardeners, Fencers, Local Authority Workers/Contractors and anyone that may be excavating and digging underground.
Recreational activities safety animation Watch our public safety video for information and practical tips to keep you safe when participating in recreational activities such as fishing, camping and others
How to keep safe during a storm During a storm or if there are strong winds, fallen trees and broken branches can damage overhead power lines. Watch our safety animation to help keep you safe.

Flooding and electricity
If flood water does enter your property our advice is to switch off the electricity at the mains, if it’s safe to do so. Do not touch any electrical equipment, switches or sockets when standing in water or if the electrical equipment is wet, damp or has been flooded and the electricity is on.

Flood water may damage our electrical equipment as well as the internal wiring in the property. Once the water has cleared, please call our emergency numbers on the right of this screen. Read here to help you identify our equipment and your electricity suppliers equipment.

Please visit the Environment Agency website or here for more flood advice.

All of us who are responsible for young people - whether parents, teachers or others, want to help them to keep safe.

Our interactive website, called Power Up! is packed full of useful information about electricity and keeping safe for 7 – 14 year olds, teachers and parents. With games, quizzes and interesting facts about electricity, it’s designed to support the Key Stages 2 and 3 electricity curriculum in an engaging and exciting way. Visit the Power Up! website.

To request Think before you dig, Vehicle cab stickers and receive additional safety leaflets please contact us at MBX-HSSEDkit@ukpowernetworks.co.uk

Our dedicated Public Safety team operate in our local communities with responsibility, integrity and respect, building positive relationships and a safe working environment and community for all. We have a broad range of proactive measures in place which help raise awareness of the potential dangers of coming into contact with our electricity network.

We support and attend community initiatives such as attending summer County Shows, Safety, Health and Awareness Days, demonstrations at events with outdoor leisure communities, as well as provide tool box talks, coaching for Contractors and advice for external companies such as construction, scaffolding and demolition.

Working near electricity is dangerous, we encourage anyone carrying out work that involves digging to request plans beforehand to avoid underground electricity cables. This is vital for your safety as well as ensuring we can provide a reliable supply of electricity.

Request plans showing where electricity cables are

Safety

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Electricity is dangerous so safety is our top priority. We want to help you recognise the dangers and stay safe.

Be Bright Stay Safe Campaign– Download materials and get free leaflets