Safety around high-voltage lines

People fishing and kiting in the proximity of high-voltage lines, sailors manoeuvring their high masts underneath overhead high-voltage lines and farmers and truckers carrying out work with agricultural machinery with long draught arms, cranes and tippers, are all activities that constitute a potential risk in the proximity of high-voltage lines. Hence TenneT advises to be extra vigilant in this respect.

The spring and the summer are the seasons to go out and about and have fun sailing, fishing or kiting. Farmers and truckers, however, continue to work. Farmers work the land and use hay wagons and irrigation systems, while truck drivers continue their work with cherry pickers, cranes and tippers.

In order to carry out this work out safely, it is important that they allow sufficient distance between themselves and the high-voltage lines. If you move too close to the lines, you may be subject to flash-over voltage. This is potentially fatal! Therefore, make sure you observe a minimum distance of 10 metres at all times. At that distance, you will not be exposed to any risks.

High-risk activities

The following activities and objects constitute a risk in terms of personal safety: kiting, kite surfing, hang gliding, parachuting, ballooning, fishing (long carbon casting rods are conductive), sailing, helicopters, gliders, light aircraft, ULMs, radio-controlled model aeroplanes and working with cherry pickers, cranes, tippers, high transports, high-stacked hay wagons and irrigation systems.

Plants and trees in the proximity of high-tension lines can become dangerous if they grow too high and come too close to the conductors. In brief, anything that sticks out and that can (nearly) touch the lines while earthed or in contact with humans, compromises personal safety.

In the event that an incident occurs or you discover a malfunction in the high-voltage pylon or lines, call TenneT on +31 (0)26-3731717 immediately.