Go Above and Beyond for a Safe Harvest

If you are aware of a line that needs to be raised to safely travel to or access your fields, call Lane-Scott Electric ahead of time so it can be safely raised for you. 

Lane-Scott Electric would like to remind all our farmer members of these important safety tips and to remain vigilant around electrical equipment. During the hustle and bustle of harvest season, those overhead power lines can easily fade into the background. However, failing to notice them can lead to costly repairs, but more seriously, deadly accidents.

360 Awareness

Awareness of your surroundings, around, above and below, and planning safe equipment routes can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. Even with GPS and auto-steering, it’s imperative that farm workers keep a close eye on the equipment’s location and are ready to take action if necessary.

Exposed underground power lines, defective wiring in farm buildings and extension cords are also hazards. Grain bins can pose a potential danger as well. The National Electrical Safety Code requires power lines to be at least 18 feet above the highest point on any grain bin with which portable augers or other portable filling equipment are used. If you plan to install new grain bins or you’re concerned about the proximity of power lines to existing grain bins, contact Lane-Scott Electric.

Smart Harvest Safety Tips

To ensure a safer harvest season, www.SafeElectricity.org recommends the following tips to avoid electrical accidents on the farm:

• Exercise caution near power lines. Be careful when raising augers or the bed of grain trucks around power lines.
• Use spotters when operating large machinery near power lines. Ensure the spotters do not touch the machinery while it is moving near power lines.
• Lower equipment extensions, portable augers or elevators before moving or transporting equipment. Do not raise equipment, such as ladders, poles or rods into power lines. Remember that non-metallic materials like lumber, tree limbs, ropes and hay can conduct electricity, especially when damp, dusty or dirty.
• Never attempt to raise or move power lines to clear a path. Doing so could result in electric shock or death.
• Avoid using metal poles inside bins. Don’t use metal poles to break up bridged grain inside or around bins.
• Hire qualified electricians. Ensure that qualified electricians handle work on drying equipment and other farm electrical systems.

While rare, the only reason to exit equipment that has come into contact with overhead lines is if the equipment is on fire. If that happens, jump off the equipment with your feet together and without touching the machinery and the ground at the same time. After exiting the vehicle, keep your feet together and "hop" away or shuffle your feet across the ground. Never lift a foot — this will keep you from having different strengths of electric current running from one foot to another. Then, still keeping your feet together, hop at least 50 feet to safety as you leave the area.  

We wish everyone a safe and successful fall harvest season!