A new safety campaign has been launched to help farmers and agricultural workers stay safe when working around the electricity network during the harvest season.

With over 32,000km of overhead lines running across the country, Northern Ireland Electricty (NIE) is urging farm workers to be vigilant around the network.

In the last year, there have been over 130 incidents in Northern Ireland where farm vehicles have come into contact with the electricity network, and any of these incidents could have resulted in a fatality.

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Hal Steele, NIE Safety Engineer, said: "At this time of the year with the days starting to shorten, judging heights and distances, especially when tired or operating in reduced light at dusk or dawn, can be challenging for farm workers. Electricity can jump gaps and any contact with overhead powerlines can cause electric shock or death. It's vital that everyone working near the electricity network makes time for safe working, both when planning work and while carrying it out."

(CD/LM)