Essential Energy has launched the digital mapping app, Look Up and Live, across its network to improve safety for anyone working around or near the utility’s overhead infrastructure.
Look Up and Live has made free overhead powerline locations and imagery available to the public online, via an interactive geospatial map.
The app provides the ability to search locations in real time and to overlay maps with third party mapping programs, or print maps, as required.
Essential Energy’s Head of Operations, Sarah Roche, said, “The launch of Look Up and Live was brought forward in an effort to reduce safety incidents ahead of a bumper harvest across NSW.
“The new app will provide additional support to farmers to safely plan any work that needs to be undertaken around powerlines.
“We’re hoping the new tool will help minimise contact with the network and reduce the risk of injury or death from electrocution, as well as damage to equipment and our electricity network.”
Essential Energy has chosen to make its information available on Look Up and Live because of the app’s track record of reducing safety incidents.
For example, after the app’s introduction, Energy Queensland experienced:
- A 25 per cent reduction on total safety incident numbers
- A 35 per cent reduction of overhead powerline contacts
- A 50 per cent reduction of accidental contacts in the agricultural sector
On Friday 25 September, Essential Energy convened a cross-industry workshop with stakeholders including NSW Farmers, GrainCorp, SafeWork NSW, Paraway Pastoral Co and the Aerial Application Association of Australia.
“The diversity of the group we brought together on Friday reflects our commitment to keep all people safe across the communities we operate in,” Ms Roche said.
“We are extremely concerned about the number of electricity asset strikes we’ve had in recent weeks, and want to ensure that everyone on the land is aware of the resources and tools available for all operations to use to ensure a safe harvest.
“This new tool is easy to use, practical and ready to go right now. We encourage everyone working around or near the network to visit www.lookupandlive.com.au, or search for ‘Look Up and Live’ on the App or Google Play store to plan for a safe operation.”
