As harvest season ramps up in Indiana, farmers and their crews are busy moving equipment to and from the fields. This increased activity, however, raises the risk of accidents, especially involving electricity.

“Combines and grain augers are large pieces of equipment,” Swafford said. “People assume that everything will fit under the power lines, but that isn’t always the case. The biggest cause of electrocutions on farms is equipment accidentally touching power lines.”

Here are some tips Swafford recommends for farmers to protect themselves and their workers:

·  Never try to raise power lines to allow passage of tall equipment. Even non-metallic objects such as wood poles or branches can conduct electricity.

·  Be cautious around power poles. Striking a pole can cause it to break and drop live wires onto your equipment.

·  Lower equipment properly. Ensure that equipment like grain augers and other portable equipment are fully lowered before transporting.

·  When considering the height of equipment, don’t forget about the radio antennas and GPS receivers that may reach another couple of feet above the roof.

·  If you’re not completely sure that equipment will fit under a power line, find an alternate way to move it.

·  When moving equipment near power lines, have a spotter on hand to ensure your safety.

·  Always look up and around before moving or raising equipment. Keep in mind that power lines sag between poles, especially on hot days. A good rule of thumb is to stay at least 10 feet from all power lines and power poles.

·  If you’re in equipment that touches power lines, stay in the cab and call for help. Tell others to stay away. In the rare case there is a fire and you have to escape, jump clear of the equipment. Keep both feet together and shuffle or hop at least 30 feet away.

“Working the land has enough hazards in the work itself,” Swafford said. “With care and planning, moving to and from the fields shouldn’t be one of them.”

SOURCES:

Iowa Lakes Electric Co-op, Ozark Border Electric Cooperative, Powerlinesafety.info