Volunteers from Ausgrid will present potentially lifesaving lessons to NSW primary school students online as part of Electricity Safety Week 2020, which begins today.
The program is run in schools each year and teaches children how to stay safe around electricity.
This year’s presentations will be delivered online by Ausgrid volunteers due to COVID-19.
Ausgrid chief operating officer Trevor Armstrong said the lessons provide a vital introduction to electrical safety.
“We remain as committed as ever to preventing electrical accidents and this year we’ll use virtual school visits to teach students how they can stay safe around electricity at home and outdoors,” Mr Armstrong said.
“A team of volunteers from across Ausgrid will talk to students about dangerous hazards such as fallen powerlines and overloaded power points.”
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805 primary schools in Ausgrid’s network have registered to take part in this year’s event which runs from September 7-11.
“One of the key things we teach is about the dangers of fallen wires and that is something everyone needs to know,” Mr Armstrong said.
“Electricity can jump and that is why we say if you see a fallen powerline always assume it is still live, never approach and stay at least eight metres or two car lengths away.
“Knowing how to avoid electric shocks could save your life or that of a loved one and it’s never too early to learn how to be safe around electricity.”
Ausgrid has released new images of some of the most dangerous situations crews have been called to in a bid to highlight key safety messages.
“Fallen powerlines can kill you and in some of these cases where people take unnecessary risks, we’ve only avoided a tragedy by sheer luck. There’s no such thing as a safe fallen wire, you don’t get a second chance with electricity,” Mr Armstrong said.
View the disturbing imagery below.
BEACON HILL: This fibreglass swimming pool came off second best when the truck carrying it hit overhead wires, slicing the pool in two 
CLEMTON PARK: This private contractors crane had been lifting a swimming pool when it collapsed onto powerlines 
CONCORD: An Ausgrid crew had to intervene after spotting this excavator working directly underneath powerlines 
DOUBLE BAY: Underground cables can also be damaged. This one was left hanging in mid air after a water main burst and created a sinkhole 
Never approach a fallen powerline as it can kill you. Always assume fallen wires are live and stay eight metres away INNER WEST: A powerline came down on this garbage truck in Sydney’s inner west. 
KANWAL: Incredibly this driver escaped serious injury after a ute hit a power pole and caught fire and brought down live powerlines. 
MARSFIELD: Contractors installing a real estate sign were lucky to escape unhurt after a metal stake hit an underground power cable. Ausgrid crews spotted this dangerous home addition with a metal garage built right around a pole carrying live power. NAREMBURN: Always look up for overhead wires. The driver of this truck was trapped in the cabin after a crane hit live powerlines. 
REDHEAD: This pole in Lake Macquarie had to be replaced after it was hit and snapped by an out of control ute. SEAFORTH: Electricity isn’t child’s play. Power was switched off after an Ausgrid crew found this cubby house attached to a private power pole. ST IVES: There is no such thing as a safe fallen wire. This one was still live when a member of the public picked it up and tied it to ametal light post. TIGHES HILL: Always call Dial Before you Dig to locate underground utilities. Contractors sliced into this electricity cable while excavating a Newcastle building site.
See more images on the Energy Source & Distribution Facebook page.