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The Look Up, Look Out aim: to raise awareness of the dangers of overhead power lines.

Look Up Look Out is a non-profit public safety awareness campaign helping people recognize overhead power line risks before work begins through practical guidance, reporting tools, independent equipment comparisons, and promoting the adoption of insulated equipment standards,. They empower the public, window cleaners, pole users, roof cleaners, employers, and suppliers to make safer choices. Their aim is simple: raise awareness, improve practices, and save lives.

Public Safety Advice – Before You Use an Extendable Pole

Best for: Householders, DIY users and anyone hiring an exterior cleaner

• Look above and around the whole work area before extending any pole.
• Long poles can reach, tilt or swing into cables unexpectedly.
• Carbon fibre, aluminium and other metals conduct electricity.
• Electricity may flash over without the pole directly touching the line.
• If you are uncertain about a cable, stop and seek advice. Do not guess. In Great Britain, you can call 105 free of charge.

Safety boundary

Treat every overhead cable as potentially live. Keep the pole lowered and well clear until the cable and the safe working arrangements have been confirmed.

Most people think of extendable poles as useful everyday tools. They are used for putting up Christmas lights, installing cameras, inspecting roofs, cleaning conservatories, clearing gutters, retrieving toys from trees, taking photographs, surveying buildings and carrying out DIY jobs around the home. What many people do not realise is that some extendable poles are made from aluminium, carbon fibre or a mixture of materials.

Carbon fibre and aluminium are strong and lightweight, but both conduct electricity. The construction, condition and components of the complete pole may also affect the electrical risk.

If an extendable pole touches an overhead power line, or gets close enough for electricity to flash over through the air, the consequences can be catastrophic. Serious injury or death can happen in seconds.

Look up before you lift up

Before using any extendable pole, always stop and look up.

Check carefully for:

• overhead power lines
• service cables running to houses, garages, sheds or outbuildings
• cables hidden by trees, hedges or rooflines
• power lines crossing gardens, driveways, fields or work areas
• cables that may be hard to see in poor light, bad weather or bright sunlight

Never assume a cable is insulated, harmless or safe to touch.

Some overhead lines are bare conductors. Others may look like ordinary black cables. You cannot judge the danger just by looking at them.

For lots more guidance including safe working guides, risk assessments, things to consider before buying a telescopic pole, reporting near misses, and much more, visit: www.lookuplookout.org.