THE Office of the Technical Regulator, South Australia stresses the
importance of electric fences being correctly installed and connected.
While the number of human fatalities associated with livestock electric
fences is low, it is important for farmers and members of the public to
recognise that contact with an electric fence can result in tragedy.
In most cases, such contact results in a relatively harmless shock, and
usually the force of the first shock triggers awareness of the electric fence
so that contact is broken and other shocks do not follow.
However, there is a risk of serious injury or even death if you receive
multiple shocks over a long period (minutes to hours rather than
seconds).
Entrapment and being rendered unconscious while in contact with an
electric fence are two situations that can cause serious injury or death.
Physical entrapment can occur if you:
• become entangled in the fence (electrified barbed wires pose a higher
risk of this and must not be used),
• are trapped between an electric wire and a physical barrier such as a
water trough, a building or another part of the fence.
If you have a heart abnormality and/or pacemaker you are more
susceptible to being rendered unconscious from contact with an electric
fence.
There is an increased risk if your head or neck touches an electrified wire.
Climbing through or under an electric fence can increased the danger of
as shock to the head.
If you need to get to the other side of a live electric fence you should
either climb over it or find away around. Extra care should be taken with
those fences near waterways, steep hillsides and cliffs.
It’s important that you have
adequate warning signs provided
where there is public access.
Children, employees and visitors
should be made aware of any
electric fences installed on your
property and the dangers posed by
electric fences.
OFFICE OF THE
TECHNICAL
REGULATOR
Is your electric fence
installed correctly?
Electric Fence Safety
May 2004
Further information can be found in the