Preparation Is Safe & Safety Is Key: Protect Your Team and Your Equipment This Season
Tractors, combines and grain augers all share one hazard that’s easy to overlook until it’s too late: overhead power lines. Just one moment of distraction or an unexpected gust of wind is sometimes all it takes for equipment to contact a line.
A few minutes of planning before the job starts can make the difference between a normal day and a life-threatening emergency. Here are some tips that every equipment operator and farmer should keep in mind before starting work.
Start Every Day With a Plan
Before you climb into the cab, take a few minutes to walk through the job. Know where the power lines are in your work area or around the farm and think through how you’ll stay clear of them as you move equipment.
Keep Your Distance
Maintain at least 10 feet of clearance between yourself, your machinery and any overhead power line, in every direction, at all times.
Bring a Spotter
An extra set of eyes goes a long way when you’re maneuvering large or tall equipment near power lines.
Never Raise a Sagging Line Yourself
If a sagging line is in your way, don’t try to lift it, push it aside or work around it on your own. Call your utility and we’ll come out to raise the line to a safe working height, free of charge.
Watch the Weather
Wind can blow tall equipment, augers or loads out of control and into a line that seemed like a safe distance away. Some jobs are better saved for a calmer, drier day.
If Equipment Contacts a Power Line, Stay Put
If your equipment becomes entangled in or contacts a power line, do not step off the equipment. The ground surrounding energized equipment can become charged, and stepping off makes you the path for that electricity to travel, which can result in a fatal shock. Instead: stay on the equipment, call your utility immediately for assistance, warn anyone nearby to stay well back, and wait for utility professionals to confirm the power has been shut off and it’s safe to exit.
Make Sure Everyone Knows the Plan
Make sure everyone you’re working with, including seasonal help and family members, knows these safety procedures and has emergency contact numbers on hand before work begins. If you ever have questions about power line locations, voltage or clearance on your property, give us a call.