SPINNING POWERLINE MARKERS DESIGNED TO SAVE LIVES

Acting Ergon Area Manager Ryan Campbell demonstrates the effectiveness of rotamarkers at the NQ Field Days in Townsville.

SPINNING POWERLINE MARKERS

DESIGNED TO SAVE LIVES

You’re driving at dusk and you don’t spot the wallaby until it starts bounding across the road.

It’s a familiar story for country drivers and one that explains the effectiveness of spinning powerline markers explained Ergon Energy’s Community Safety Manager Aaron Smith.

“Humans are hard-wired to notice movement, so by installing spinning markers on powerlines in high-traffic areas on farms we can increase visibility and reduce the risk of heavy vehicles, machinery and aircraft coming into contact with high-voltage wires,” Aaron said.

“Powerlines are such an integral part of our lives that they blend into the scenery and we may not notice them, which isn’t a problem until your life depends on it.”

Aaron said powerline markers were a worthwhile investment, especially in areas where aerial application and harvesting frequently occurs within close proximity of overhead powerlines.

“Ergon Energy Network is offering to install up to 10 rotamarkers per property at a reduced cost of $100 each.

“We’ve also joined forces with the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) on an incentive program to encourage more property owners to install rotamarkers in areas of concern where there are heavy vehicles or aircraft operating near powerlines.

"QFF is offering member farmers a co-contribution of up to $500 towards roatamarkers installation costs.”

After an alarming increase in heavy vehicles and machinery contacting powerlines, Ergon is appealing to workers in high-risk industries to Look Up and Live.

There were 432 accidental contacts with powerlines in Queensland last year compared to 360 reported in 2020, including incidents involving tractors, harvesters, haul-out vehicles, excavators, spray rigs, augers and irrigation equipment.

“Right across Queensland, whether on farm or in town, people can also utilise the Look Up and Live mobile app; a free, lifesaving tool to plan safe work around powerlines.

“Contacting powerlines could be lethal, cause serious injuries or destroy your plant and equipment, so anything you can do to reduce the risks of an incident on your property or work site is well worth it,” Aaron said.