Highlighting the dangers
British
Waterways are on a nationwide campaign to increase the awareness of safety
issues for angling clubs and associations who lease waters from their
organisation.
Their agents, Smith Woolley who are based at Collingham near Newark are
sending circulars out to all licensees of British Waterways to highlight
their campaign with a special emphasis on overhead power cables.
The campaign
headline is Look Out! Look Up! - Beware of fishing near overhead lines.
Angler's attentions, particularly the younger generation, are being drawn
to the yellow and black sign which highlights the fact that there is danger.
Regrettably
anglers continue to die or suffer horrific injuries caused by electric
shock or burns.
Electricity and fishing can add up to a highly dangerous combination if
simple precautions are not taken.
And some key facts will help to explain the dangers and the precautions
that should be taken.
Facts
Overhead lines are
normally bare (uninsulated) and are most commonly supported on wood poles
at a height of 5.2 metres (17 feet) and above.
Electricity lines on wood poles are often dangerously mistaken for telephone
wires and the voltages range from 230 volts up to 132,000 volts.
High Voltage lines normally have danger notices fitted to all poles or
pylons
At the higher voltages electricity will jump through the air. This means
it is not necessary to touch an overhead line to suffer electric shock
or burns which can cause death.
Most fishing rods or poles will conduct electricity, especially those
containing carbon fibre but all materials when wet or damp will allow
electricity to flow along them.
Overhead lines are often difficult to see particularly if set against
a dark background.
Precautions
When fishing Always
Look Out! Look Up! for overhead lines before rods or poles are assembled
and before fishing begins, including any approach to the fishing area.
It is not easy to estimate the heights and distances of overhead lines
from the ground and an adequate safety distance must be kept to avoid
accidental contact or approach.
Fish at least 30 metres away from all overhead lines. Although in some
circumstances this distance may be varied provided a formal site risk
assessment has been carried out involving the angling club or association,
the land owner, and or the electricity company as necessary.
Contact or near contact with overhead lines by any object is extremely
dangerous, particularly if the object is an electrical conductor, for
example a fishing rod or pole, or even a damp nylon line.
Should you see fishing line entangled on power lines report this to the
electricity company, the land or water owner and the club secretary.
If you own, lease or make fishing waters available where overhead lines
are present, ensure that anglers are made aware of the dangers by the
erection of suitable safety signs and other appropriate means.
If you do so, on a commercial basis, you may have additional responsibilities
and you should contact your local Health and Safety Executive Office or
Environmental Health department for further advice.
Warning Signs and Contact Numbers
There are two types
of signs: A warning notice - to be used to provide a general warning at
the approaches to waters. This is a rectangular sign with black information
on a yellow background.
A prohibition notice - to be used to signify no fishing within 30 metres
or other distances as agreed following a formal risk assessment as outlined
above. This is a rectangular sign with white information on a red background.
The signs are available from your local electricity company and are usually
supplied free of charge in reasonable numbers.
The responsibility for erection and maintenance rests with the land or
water owner.
This publication is reproduced by courtesy of The Electricity Association
who are working in close liaison with British Waterways (01923 201308),
The Environment Agency (0845 933 3111), The National Federation of Anglers
(01283 734735), and the Angling Trade Association (0247 641 4999).
Notice Board
Woodhouse
Inn members should note that a meeting is scheduled to take place at headquarters
on Sunday 14th December starting at 7.30am.
Any individual angler who is interested in becoming a member are cordially
invited to attend.
Worksop United's next Permit Holders match is on Saturday13th December
on the Bracebridge section.
The entry fee is £5.00 all inclusive, the draw takes place at 9am
and fishing will be from 10am until 3pm.
Club members should note that the annual general meeting date has been
fixed for Monday 12 th January at the Flamingo hotel starting at 7.30pm
prompt.
Please note, to avoid disappointment would all subscribers to this angling column wishing to have any information published over the next two weeks leading up to Christmas please submit their reports direct to the Worksop Guardian (01909 500500) marked for the attention of Matt Halfpenny or Will Spence.
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Yours in Sport Glyn |