DORSET farmers are being urged to put safety first as they focus on cutting their last few fields to bring the 2011 harvest to an end.

Southern Electric Power Distribution is urging farmers who operate machines to check the whereabouts of overhead lines not just in their fields but around the roads and tracks they use to access them.

Norman MacIver, Southern Electric Power Distribution’s Wayleaves manager, said: “If any part of the vehicle touches an overhead line, you should not get out of the cab because once outside, you no longer have the protective shield of the machine around you.

“The best advice is to phone our emergency telephone line from the cab and you will be put through to our control room.

“We will then advise you what to do, while we make the wires safe for you to jump out.”

A free safety sticker for the cabs of agricultural vehicles is available, reminding drivers to check the height of their equipment as well as giving them the emergency number 0800 300999 to ring if needed.

More than 23,000 of these stickers were distributed around the UK last year among the farming community.

The stickers are available from sepd.co.uk or by calling 0800 483515.