Published by the Electricity Association in consultation with its Member Electricity Companies,the Angling Trade Association,

LEE ANGLERS’ CONSORTIUM

LOOK OUT! - LOOK UP!

ADVICE ON SAFE FISHING NEAR

OVERHEAD ELECTRIC POWER LINES

Several people have died and others have been seriously injured whilst using

carbon fibre rods and poles near overhead electric power lines. The

following advice is designed to prevent these events recurring:

i Because rods and poles containing carbon fibre conduct electricity,

they are particularly dangerous when used near overhead electric

power lines. Remember that electricity can jump gaps and a rod does

not even have to touch an electric line to cause a lethal current to

flow.

ii Many overhead electric power lines are supported by wood poles

which could be mistaken for telegraph poles. These overhead lines

may carry electricity up to 132,000 volts.

iii The height of high voltage overhead electric power lines can be as low

as 17ft and they are therefore within easy reach of a carbon fibre rod

or pole. Remember that overhead lines may not be readily visible from

the ground. They may be concealed by hedges or by a dark

background. Make sure you "Look Out" and "Look Up" to check for

overhead lines before fishing begins.

iv In general, the minimum safe fishing distance from an overhead

electric power line is two rod/pole lengths from the overhead line

(measured along the ground).

v When pegging out for matches or competitions, organisers and

competitors should, in general, ensure that no peg is nearer to an

overhead electric power line than 30 metres (measured along the

ground).

vi For further advice on safe fishing at specific locations please contact

your local Electricity Board.

vii Finally, remember that it is dangerous for any object to get too close to

overhead electric power lines, particularly if the object is an electrical

conductor, e.g. a lead cored fishing line, or damp fishing line or rod.

Published by the Electricity Association in consultation with its Member Electricity Companies, the Angling Trade Association, the National Federation of Anglers, the Water Authorities Association and British Waterways.

EASG 001:6/90