Overhead power lines are necessary to deliver electricity to hardworking farmers and ranchers, but those same power lines can also be deadly if not treated with respect. This can be a busy time for farmers, but safety, especially around electrical hazards, should always be a priority. Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative urges you to also watch for electrical hazards around the farm or ranch.

BE AWARE:
Farmers and their equipment should always be 10 feet away from power lines on all sides. Field cultivators and sprayers can often reach as high as 12 feet in the air. Practice extreme caution and use a spotter to make sure you stay far away from power lines when you use tall equipment.

If you have purchased new equipment, be aware of antennas or other attachments that may pose new hazards. A newer, bigger piece of equipment may no longer clear a line. In addition, shifting soil may also affect whether or not machinery avoids power lines from year to year.

Power lines also may sag over the years. If power lines on your property are sagging, contact BDEC to repair the lines. Never move a power line out of the way or raise it for clearance.

Overhead power lines are not the only electric hazard on the farm. Pole guy wires, used to stabilize utility poles, are grounded. However, when one of the guy wires is broken, it can become charged with electricity. If you break a guy wire, call the cooperative to fix it. Don’t do it yourself.

FOLLOW THESE OTHER TIPS:

• Look over work areas carefully for overhead power lines and utility poles. Make sure you, your family and employees know the location of overhead power lines, and use routes to avoid the lines when moving equipment. Do this every year, as  equipment sizes and soil conditions may change.
• Be aware of increased heights of equipment, especially new equipment with higher antennas.
• Avoid moving large equipment alone. Have someone watch as you move equipment to ensure you are clear of power lines.
• Be extra careful when working around trees and brush; they often make it difficult to see power lines.

WHAT IF YOU CONTACT A POWER LINE?

• First, DON’T climb out. If your equipment does contact a power line, stay in the cab and call 911 for help. Warn others to stay away and wait until the electric cooperative arrives.
• If you must leave the combine or tractor due to immediate danger, such as a fire, jump as far away as you can, making sure that no part of your body touches the combine or tractor and the ground at the same time. Land with both feet together and hop or shuffle your feet a few inches at a time, making sure to never break contact with the ground or cause separation between your feet.
• Once you’re off the combine or tractor, do not go back until your local electric co-op disconnects the power line.