Farm Safety
Look Up and Look Out!
Send a link to a friend
[April 29, 2015]
With nice weather this April, farmers
across Illinois have been busy planting. Despite the business of the
season, it is important for farmers to take the time to look up and
look out for overhead power lines.
|
“There are steps farmers can take to help keep themselves and
workers safe when working around electricity,” says Kyla Kruse,
communications director of the Energy Education Council and it's
Safe Electricity program. “With the use of large equipment,
farmers can easily find themselves in dangerous proximity to
overhead lines. Being aware of the location of those wires can
help reduce accidents.”
Safe Electricity urges farm workers to be alert to the dangers
of working with tall equipment near power lines. These lines are
most often on the edge of fields and roadways, where equipment
may pass getting to the field and where equipment may be parked.
Follow safe work practices at all times even if it takes a
little extra time. To prevent accidents, start by making sure
everyone knows to maintain a minimum 10-foot clearance from
power lines - in all directions, at all times. It can be
difficult to estimate distance, and sometimes a power line is
closer than it looks. A spotter, someone with a broader view,
can help with that.
Sprayer arms, planter arms, tractors with antennas - any tall
equipment could come in contact with overhead power lines if
operators are not watchful. Equipment contacting power lines is
cited as the most common accident resulting in farm
electrocutions.
Avoid raising the arms of planters near power lines, and never
attempt to raise or move a power line to clear a path. Danger
areas need to be thoroughly identified and labeled. Plan routes
to avoid hazard areas.
Never assume that because the machinery passed under the lines
in one area means it will clear another. Simply coming too close
to a power line is dangerous as electricity can arc to
conducting material.
[to top of second column] |
If wires are low, contact the local electric utility. Don’t try to
fix them. Electric distribution lines along rural roads can
carry thousands of volts and only professional utility line
workers are qualified to make any adjustments.
If equipment does come into contact with power lines, stay in
the cab and call for help. Don't try to maneuver out of the
power lines. Doing so could make an incredibly dangerous
situation worse. Warn others who may be nearby to stay away and
wait until the electric utility arrives to cut off the power.
"Only leave the cab if staying in it is too dangerous, as in the
case of fire,” Kruse advises, "and then specific steps must be
followed to do so safely."
If this is the case, exit the cab by jumping from it with both
feet together. Don’t touch the ground and the equipment at the
same time. Then hop away to safety, keeping both feet together
while leaving the area. Once away from the equipment, never
attempt to get back on or even touch the equipment before the
power has been shut off.
“When equipment has made contact with a power line, it is
critical to know what to do,” Kruse adds. “Not knowing the
proper procedures can cause serious injury or even death.”
For more information, visit SafeElectricity.org.
[Kyla Krus]
|