NIE Networks is urging anyone carrying out outdoor tasks to stay vigilant around overhead electricity infrastructure as shorter days and dimmer conditions make power lines harder to see. The autumn phase of its Look Up to Live safety campaign aims to prevent serious accidents as visibility declines. The company confirmed that in 2025 more than 40 people were affected by incidents involving overhead power lines, with some sustaining life-changing injuries or losing their lives. The latest push highlights how quickly a routine job can become dangerous in poor light. Damien Monaghan, Head of Health and Safety at NIE Networks, said: "When you work around something every day, it can be easy to stop noticing it. That familiarity can lead people to begin a routine job without properly considering what is above or around them. With fewer hours of daylight in autumn, familiar hazards can also become much harder to see. "Earlier this year, we photographed overhead lines on a working farm in daylight. We recently returned to the same location at sunrise, and the difference was striking. The lines had not moved, but in the lower light they were much harder to identify. It is a clear reminder that familiar surroundings should never lead to complacency." Running across October and the Halloween period, the campaign reminds landowners, businesses, contractors and those overseeing work to identify hazards before starting, share relevant information and agree appropriate precautions. Responsibility for managing risk should not be assumed to rest solely with an individual contractor working on someone else's land or premises. Damien added: "If a serious accident occurs, the circumstances will matter, including who controlled the premises or activity, whether a hazard was known or reasonably foreseeable, what information was provided and what reasonable precautions were taken. "The advice is clear: taking a moment to look up could prevent a life-changing accident and never assume that a familiar job is a safe one. Visibility, weather, equipment and the people involved can all change, so pause, assess the work area and look up every time. We want this important safety message to reach as many people as possible, so look out for our safety videos and adverts and share them with anyone who could benefit from the potentially lifesaving advice." Anyone working near overhead lines is urged to follow this essential safety advice: - Always check for overhead electricity lines and plan the job safely before you start. - Never approach damaged electricity equipment or any fallen wires. - If in doubt, stop work immediately and seek advice before proceeding. - The NIE Networks contact centre operates 24/7 on 03457 643 643. - Further safety information: www.nienetworks.co.uk/safety and HSENI.