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Planting & Harvest Safety
Being safe around power lines is important every planting and harvest season.
Stay safe during planting season
Long hours and fatigue are a constant battle for farmers during planting season. If you farm, remember to take care of yourself by getting as much rest as possible and allowing yourself breaks to clear your head.
Be especially aware of electrical hazards around the farm. Be cautious and think twice before acting around electricity. Safe Electricity offer farmers the following reminders:
- If your machinery or vehicle comes in contact with a power line, do not get out. Once contact has been made with a live line (even when your tractor or truck makes contact), you are now a “pathway to ground” and you could get electrocuted if you step out. Instead, stay where you are and call
9-1-1 to dispatch the appropriate utility to de-energize the power. - If you come across an accident or incident near a downed power line, alert individuals (from a distance) to stay in the tractor or vehicle as long as there is no imminent danger. Do not approach the scene.
- When using machinery with long extensions or tall antennas and when using ladders, look up to avoid contact with overhead power lines.
- Even if there is no contact, an electrical current can jump or arc so keep equipment at least 10 feet from surrounding power lines at all times.
- Remember, non-metallic materials (such as tree limbs, ropes and hay) can conduct electricity, depending on dampness and dust/dirt accumulation.
- Visually inspect overhead lines, which may not meet height codes due to age or pole damage. If a wire is hanging low or is on the ground, consider it energized and stay at least 50 feet away; call 9-1-1 to have the operator dispatch the utility.
- Every day, map out where equipment will be moved to ensure it will clear power lines.
- When working in the vicinity of power lines, always use a spotter who has a broad vantage point.
- Train anyone working with or for you (including seasonal employees) to be aware of power line locations and teach them proper clearance distance. Also design and implement a safety training program that includes a review of electrical hazards and how to safely deal with power lines.
- According to American Family Insurance, “know your PTO.” To stay safe when working with a power take off (PTO), always disengage the PTO, turn off the engine and remove keys before getting off the tractor. Also, never step across a rotating power shaft.
Avoid hazards with overhead power lines
Fall harvest is the most likely time of year for farm-related accidents and fatalities. The number one factor in electrocution on the farm is an auger that hits a power line when being moved. Be aware of your surroundings and look up often. Check out these tips from Safe Electricity and SWCE:
- Check the height of the farm equipment to determine clearance.
- Be aware of the location of power poles and lines, including field entry and exit points, and plan a safe equipment route.
- Always keep a minimum 10-foot safety radius around an electric line.
- Use a spotter when moving tall loads near electrical lines.
- Lower extensions to the lowest setting when moving equipment.
- Never attempt to move a power line out of the way or raise it for clearance.
- Know what to do if your equipment does make contact with a power line. It’s almost always safest staying in the cab. Call 9-1-1, warn others to stay away, and wait until the electric utility says it’s safe to get down.
Ensure a safe harvest this year, know the location of power lines and keep 10 ft. from them.
In the event of an emergency: Please do not use email to contact SWCE. We cannot guarantee messages received via email will be monitored during an outage.