Queensland farmers can now access a rebate for overhead warning markers indicating powerlines on their properties to make rural workplaces safer.
Coinciding with Electricity Safety Week (6-10 September), the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has partnered with Ergon Energy Network and Energex to offer farmers belonging to any of QFF’s 20 industry members a 50 per cent co-contribution to install up to 10 rotamarkers on their properties.
QFF CEO Dr Georgina Davis said agriculture was one of the most dangerous sectors to work in due to the combination of hazards including heavy plant and machinery, chemicals, noise, dust, sun and heat exposure, working with animals, alone or in remote locations.
“Queensland farmers bear the important responsibility of ensuring they, their workers and other people on-farm are clear about their health and safety responsibilities and it’s a duty they do take very seriously,” Dr Davis said.
“Any farming business with overhead powerlines on their property that plants, harvests, sprays, irrigates or uses aerial applications should have a powerline safety plan and install overhead powerline markers to increase visibility and help prevent contact.”
“It is imperative that farmers see safety as the foundation that all our other business decisions are made so the agriculture sector can promote and advance safe farms across the state.”
For Queensland electricity distributors Ergon Energy Network and Energex, the program offers a vital avenue to boost uptake of potentially life-saving powerline markers as well as the free Look Up And Live powerline mapping tool.
“The rotamarkers are proven to be visually arresting, and they’ve been engineered so that we can safely install them on our network to pinpoint overhead powerlines in areas where machinery is operated, making it safer for everyone,” Executive General Manager Michael Dart said.
“Eligibility criteria for the QFF rotamarker program includes that applicants have downloaded our Look Up And Live mapping app which gives farmers a simple oversight of what lines are on or near their property, helping people to decide which control measures are needed to protect them and their workers.
“We’ve worked closely with the ag, construction, aviation and transport sectors to understand their risks and needs, and to collaboratively come up with strategies to manage the dangers these industries face – this rotamarker partnership with QFF is a great practical extension of this commitment.”
Head of Queensland’s Electrical Safety Office, Ms Donna Heelan said that in the past six years, 52 serious electrical incidents have happened in Queensland involving overhead powerlines, and six people have died. People most at risk are farmers, construction workers and transport workers.
“Contact with overhead powerlines is one of the most persistent and problematic electrical safety risks in Queensland,” Ms Heelan said.
“It’s important producers take the time to identify potential risks on farms, power lines near sheds and silos, for example, and communicate these clearly to all staff, no matter how long they have worked with you.”
“I applaud this initiative from QFF and Energex and Ergon Energy Network, and I encourage all rural property owners to take advantage.”
For more information about the rebate and eligibility criteria, visit: https://www.qff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Rotamarker-Rebate-Program.pdf.