It’s right around the corner – harvest season. The time of the year that can be an exciting and exhausting time, the culmination of a season of hard work. However, the rush to harvest can also yield tragic outcomes. Each year, dozens of farm workers are killed and hundreds are injured in accidents involving power lines and electrical equipment. 

Putting safety first requires alertness, focus and knowledge of potential hazards and safety steps. Regardless the technology used on the farm, keep the following electrical safety guidelines in mind:

• Use a spotter when operating large machinery near power lines. Do not let the spotter touch the machinery while it is being moved anywhere near power lines. 
• Keep equipment at least 10 feet from power lines – above, below and to the side – a 360-degree rule.
• Look up and use care when moving any equipment such as extending augers or raising the bed of grain trucks around power lines.
• Inspect the height of farm equipment to determine clearance.
• Always set extensions to the lowest setting when moving loads to prevent contact with overhead power lines. Grain augers should always be positioned horizontally before being moved.
• Never attempt to move a power line out of the way or raise it for clearance.
• Don’t use metal poles to break up bridged grain inside bins. Know where and how to shut off the power in an emergency.
• If a power line is sagging or low, contact Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative at 715-677-2211.

If your equipment does make contact with a power line, do not leave the cab. Immediately call 911, warn others to stay away and wait for the utility crew to cut the power.

The only reason to exit equipment that has come into contact with overhead lines is if the equipment is on fire. However, if this is the case, jump off the equipment with your feet together and without touching the ground and machinery at the same time. Then, still keeping your feet together, hop to safety as you leave the area.  

It is very important that all farm workers and seasonal employees are informed of electrical hazards and trained in proper procedures to avoid injury.