Electricity bosses are urging farmers in the area to be extra careful near overhead power lines.

It follows a spate of accidents in which farm workers have put their lives at risk.

In the past two months, seven incidents of tractors or other machinery striking cables or support poles have been reported to Northern Powergrid, which manages 29,000 kilometres of overhead power lines across the region.

Paul Norton, head of safety at Northern Powergrid, said: “Large parts of our cable network run over farmland. Overhead cables can be carrying anything up to 400,000 volts, so we would ask that all farmers remind their staff of the dangers of coming into contact with them and that striking them can be lethal.

“Always be aware of where cables are. It’s easy to misjudge heights and distances, especially when tired or in poor light such as at dusk or dawn, but it’s crucial that care is taken at all times.”

He added: “It’s also important to realise that farm equipment spraying jets of water or pesticides can, if they come into contact with power lines, provide a circuit of electricity to flow through and can cause death or serious injury to the equipment’s operator.”

Northern Powergrid recommends that farmers conduct risk assessments on land prior to staff carrying out work, particularly if the workers are contracted in and unfamiliar with the site.

For further safety advice, phone 0845 070 7172 and ask for site safety services.