UK Power Networks is the country’s biggest electricity distributor, ensuring the lights stay on for more than eight million homes and businesses across London, the South East, and the East of England. The safety of our customers and staff is our top priority. 

Whether planning a new design or working onsite, highlighting the position of overhead lines and underground cables on your risk assessments and plans can help in preparing your work and keeping safe.  Communicating where the electricity network is, to staff and third parties is also vital.  

Here’s the essential advice that could save your life:  

• Plan ahead by marking overhead power lines and underground power cables on any plans, ensuring you also inform all staff/contractors working on site. Cable plans can be requested at www.Isbud.co.uk and from your local distribution network operator. 

• Look Out Look Up. Find out the maximum reach of all machinery and consider how it can be used safely. Always look up and around before moving equipment, raising tipper trailers or extendable arms. 

• Check around before loading or unloading, using tipper trailers and when stacking. Take particular care in dark or poor light conditions, especially when tired.  

If you are tree trimming or planning any other work near to overhead power lines and electrical equipment, always contact your local distribution network operator for advice on shrouding or disconnections before starting work. Please also refer to the FISA Safety Guide 804 for more information and advice. 

• Stay alert. During busy times, it is easy to forget the overhead and underground electricity network is all around. When digging underground or moving plant and equipment always be vigilant, plan and look up and around to see what electrical equipment is near you.  

• Loading. Never raise the bed of a tipper lorry underneath an overhead power line or drive under the line with the body of the vehicle raised. Ensure barriers and goal post are used, where needed. 

 

• Check to see if build up of the land or any additional hardstanding has taken place below existing overhead power lines. 

 

• Exit plan. Know how to exit your vehicle in case of an emergency - keep at least ten metres away from fallen overhead power lines. Stay in the cab and call 105.  If you need to get out, jump well clear so that no contact is made between you, the vehicle and the ground at the same time 

 

 

Call 0800 3163105 or just 105 in an emergency. Download the What3Words app to help explain your location. 

Visit our website for free safety advice or to request free safety stickers and resources for you and/or your teams. 

 

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UK Power Networks Main Web page - Distribution Network Operator | UK Power Networks 

 

UK Power Networks safety pages - Safety advice and resources | UK Power Networks 

 

 

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