Northern Powergrid hooks up with the Angling Trust to tackle fishing safety

Electricity distribution network operator Northern Powergrid has partnered with the Angling Trust to help educate anglers and make sure their next catch isn’t deadly.

Northern Powergrid, who serve 8 million customers across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, has joined forces with the Angling Trust to encourage anglers to ‘Look Up It’s Live!’, and look up before you hook up when fishing near overhead power lines, cables and poles.

Every year in the UK there are cases of fishing equipment coming into contact or too close with overhead power lines, causing horrific burn injuries or even death.

With power lines on wooden poles carrying voltages up to 132,000 volts, anglers are being urged to always plan ahead when fishing, and tackle safety before they set off.

Safety, as a priority for both the Angling Trust and Northern Powergrid, means the partnership is a perfect catch to reach anglers and ensure they know how to stay safe if they’re fishing near the electricity network.

Today (1 August) sees the launch of a partnership summer safety campaign which coincides with the Angling Trust’s Summer of Fishing initiative, and is an opportune time to educate and engage anglers to look up, look to the side and look behind, take note of warning signs, and to remember people don’t need to make contact with power lines to receive an electric shock as electricity can jump gaps.

Lifesaving and emergency advice is also included in the campaign, and how to report an accident.

Gareth Pearson, Northern Powergrid’s Director of Health, Safety and Training said:

“As a partner and member of the Angling Trust, our safety campaign messages will now reach anglers directly to help keep them safe.

“High voltage currents can pass through almost all fishing rods and poles, therefore, it’s vital anglers tackle safety before they set off and look up before they hook up, to make sure fishing equipment does not come into contact with our power network.

“Crucially, if anglers do make contact, they should take leaping strides and move away from the area and ensure one foot is off the ground at all times. They should also warn others to stay away, maintain a five-metre clearance and call us on 105 for assistance. Always dial 999 in any emergency.”

Mark Owen, Angling Trust’s Head of Fisheries, said:

“We are delighted to partner with Northern Powergrid to spread the ‘Look Up It’s Live!’ message to anglers.

“Carbon fibre products conduct electricity, so always carry long objects such as fishing rods and poles horizontal and parallel to the ground and be aware of any power lines in the area.

“As anglers, we want to enjoy our fishing in a safe environment, so it is vitally important we follow Northern Powergrid’s excellent advice to reduce the risk of injury, and even death, from coming into contact with power lines.”

Top tips to stay safe when fishing

• Look Up It’s Live! Power lines on wooden poles carry voltages up to 132,000 volts.
• Take a good look around you, behind you, and above you.
• Unpack, set up and pack your rod away at the water’s edge.
• Stay away from the electricity network and change your route to avoid power lines.
• Observe all warning signs and obstructions if they instruct you not to fish in that area.
• Power lines can be more difficult to see at night and against a dark or bright backdrop. Be more aware.
• Remember: you don’t need to make contact with power lines to receive an electric shock – electricity can jump gaps.
• Always report any near-misses with the electricity network. Call 105 to let Northern Powergrid know and also report to the fishery owner – you could save a life.
• Power lines which have been damaged can stay live or automatically become live again without any warning – always treat overhead cables or power lines as live and keep away.

Click here to download a digital version of Northern Powergrid’s free angling safety ‘Look Up It’s Live’.

For more safety information visit www.northernpowergrid.com/safety.