Victorian farmers are being urged not to attempt dangerous do-it-yourself electrical work as part of a new electrical safety campaign.
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Energy and Resources Minister Lily D’Ambrosio launched the new ‘DIY=DIE’ campaign in Shepparton this week.
The campaign was initiated to remind farmers that doing unqualified electrical work is illegal and can result in death or serious injury.
Energy Safe Victoria created the DIY=DIE campaign following the recent deaths of two Victorian farmers.
A 75-year-old man was electrocuted at Moorabool in November while attempting to repair a pump on a rural property.
A 21-year-old dairy farmer from Yarroweh also died in January while attending to a pump in a drainage pit.
These deaths are a tragic reminder of the dangers of doing electrical work if unqualified, Ms D’Ambrosio said during the recent campaign launch.
To ensure the safety of workers and property owners Energy Safe Victoria advises:
- Only licensed or registered tradespeople are legally permitted to do gas or electrical work;
- A slight tingle or fuses blowing regularly are signs of a serious electrical problem that need to be investigated by a qualified tradesperson;
- Never try fixing electrical equipment or getting around the problem by adding extra fuse wire or bypassing circuit breakers;
- Water and electricity can be a fatal combination – always turn off a pump before clearing or checking a pump or float switch, entering the water or touching the equipment.
The DIY=DIE campaign will run in newspapers, radio, online and on billboards during May and June.
“It’s not worth risking your life by attempting do-it-yourself electrical work,” Ms D’Ambrosio said at the launch.
“You may think you can save time and money, but you could pay with your life.
“Farmers are handy at a range of skills but electrical work is not something unlicensed people should ever attempt.”
Director of energy safety at Energy Safe Victoria, Paul Fearon stressed the importance of using qualified tradespeople to conduct work on farms and other properties.
“Always call in a licensed electrician no matter how remote the property or how simple you think the job appears to be,” Mr Fearon said.
“Farmers and rural workers need to be very careful about how they manage and maintain electrical installations and equipment – because they could be putting their lives and their families at risk.”
For more information and safety tips go to www.esv.vic.gov.au
