Power line safety down on the farm

Posted by Guest Blogger on April 20, 2020

Planting season is right around the corner as tractors, plows and planters come out of the barn and get ready to do their work. Wright-Hennepin (WH) wants to remind the community to look up and look out for power lines.

We know it gets busy plowing and planting crops, but we want you to be aware of your surroundings and remember to look up. Those power lines are energized and bringing electricity to your farm, family and business, so please be careful.

Tips for operating farm equipment around power lines include:

• Physical contact with a power line is extremely hazardous and may cause a lethal shock. Equipment should not be operated under a power line in a manner that would cause contact or near-contact with the wires.
• Do not lift, elevate, build or pass under a power line any object, tool or vehicle that may make contact or near-contact with the wires.
• To help prevent arc flashing, it is recommended that equipment, antennas and people stay at least 15 feet away from any energized power line wire.
• Equipment that can be extended requires the utmost care when near a power line.

If you do happen to come in contact with a power line:

• Call 911 as soon as possible and keep the area clear until help arrives.
• If you can do so without risking your machinery or damaging utility infrastructure, drive at least 40 feet away.
• If the vehicle is on fire or you must exit for other safety reasons, jump clear so that no part of your body touches the equipment and ground at the same time, and land with feet together. Hop to safety in small steps to avoid electric shock by breaking the current’s path.