FAQ safety
An overview of frequently asked questions about safety is provided below.
Even without touching high-voltage elements, you are still at risk. If you come too close to a live object, a potentially lethal electric arc is formed. The consequences could be fatal. The difference in voltage level, weather conditions and the type of soil make it difficult to predict the exact distance at which this occurs. Hence you must observe a minimum distance of 10 metres at all times.
The visibility of a high-voltage line can be reduced due to reflection, fog or rain. Furthermore, the distance of the lines to a certain point can vary considerably: strong winds can cause the lines to move sideways. In hot weather conditions and when heavily loaded, it expands and starts to sag. Bear this in mind!
Release the rope immediately and call the alarm number 0800-9009. Never try and release the kite yourself!
Stay onboard and try to alert the emergency services via the alarm number 0800-9009.
Do not get off, as then you will become the electric conductor to the ground! Try to alert the emergency services via the national alarm number 0800-9009.
Do not get off, as then you will become the electric conductor to the ground! Try to alert the emergency services via the national alarm number 0800-9009.
Birds mostly sit on the ground wire or a wire that is not live. If they do sit on a live wire, the current cannot earth via the birds and thus they do not feel anything.
That would be very costly and there is a limit to the height they can run at due to air traffic. In addition, the lines would be subject to much stronger winds, which could compromise the safety of our engineers when working on the lines. The high-voltage lines now suspend at a standard height, which is the statutory height. Each grid operator conforms to that height. Where possible, the lines run at increased height, such as across water, roads and railway lines.
Lines do sometimes run underground, but not often. Underground installation is very expensive (about 5 times as much). Furthermore, there is no easy access in the event of malfunctions and the risk of incidents due to construction activities is also much higher. Once the lines run underground, it is no longer possible to develop the ground above it.
The countryside is the safest place as urban development is low, as is human habitation. It is true that urban development does often bring new buildings closer to the paths of pylons. The early planning and organisation of the national grid did not take that into account at the time.
After more than twenty years of scientific research the conclusion is that electric and magnetic fields caused by high-voltage lines are unlikely to cause certain diseases and illnesses. The Netherlands Health Council, the advisory body for the Dutch government, shares that conclusion. If you would like to find out more about this, please visitwww.vrom.nl/hoogspanning.
