Farm Safety
Indiana's electric cooperative utility network is the largest in the state. Fifty-five thousand miles of distribution line in all or parts of 89 of Indiana's counties provide safe and affordable energy to more than 450,000 Hoosier homes, farms and businesses.
When tractors, augers, combines, and wagons take to the fields – it usually results in anxiety, hyperactivity, and many sleepless nights on farmers and their families. During harvest season, power lines present additional hazards. We, at Utilities District of Western Indiana Rural Electric Membership Corporation, consider ourselves part of your family and always keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Therefore, we wish to take a moment to remind you of the importance of safety during the harvest season.
Many farm workers are killed each year when their farm equipment makes contact with overhead power lines. These tragic accidents are preventable. There are important electrical facts and principles you need to know and critical safety precautions to observe during farm season.
Electricity is produced in various generating stations around the country. To move this high voltage electricity safely to consumers, bare metal wires called conductors are strung high up on towers and poles, well out of the reach of the average person. Since electricity always seeks a path to the ground, the metal conductors on these structures are placed on porcelain or glass insulators to prevent this from happening (similar to a farm electric fence system). This ensures that electricity stays in the conductor and gets safely to you, the consumer. In a similar way, the wiring in your house, barn and outbuildings is insulated with rubber or plastic. The insulation prevents leakage to the ground and protects you against accidental electrical contact.
Some farms have transmission power lines strung on towers or poles crossing the property. Most certainly, there will be a low voltage distribution line supplying electricity to your home and farm buildings. In some cases, there may be buried power lines on the farm. Most accidents involve power line contact when loading or preparing to transport equipment to the fields or when performing maintenance or repairs on farm machinery near power lines. It is vital to learn from others’ mistakes and keep the following safety considerations in mind:
Take a good look around your farm. Note the location of all power lines. Plan safe travel routes for large equipment.
Never try to raise a power line to get clearance for equipment to proceed under
If you move large equipment near power lines, it is a good idea to use a spotter or someone to tell you if you get too close to the power lines.
Be properly trained on the use of all machinery before operations.
Be aware of overhead power lines. Lower portable augers or elevators before moving this machinery.
Make sure your machinery is running properly. Perform routine maintenance according to the operation manual and have safety guarding in place at all times.
Do not leave the vehicle when there are fallen wires. Tell others to stay at least 10 meters away.
Remember, if you contact a power line, a serious or fatal accident could occur. Even allowing equipment to come close to power lines is dangerous, as it may result in an arc with the same effects as a direct contact.
What to do if equipment you are operating make contacts with a power line:
Be sure you and everyone else in your operation know what to do in an emergency:
If equipment you are operating gets hung up on a power line, do NOT get off the machinery unless you are in immediate danger. If you touch the ground and the machine/equipment at the same time, then you will become a path for the electricity to travel to the ground.
If you must leave the machinery, jump about a half meter away from the equipment and land with feet together and arms close to the body. Keep your feet touching each other and shuffle 10 meters away from the machinery or the fallen wire. Do not go back for any reason and never get back on the machinery that is touching the power line until the utility company has safely disconnected and de-energized the line.
Extra safety precautions make require a bit more time and effort; however, the minutes saved could mean the difference between life and death. Remember to plan ahead and stay safe. Farms are places filled with the nature’s beauty; however, those who work daily in this beauty need to always put safety first!