A John Deere tractor rolls down Highway 30, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — Nebraska Public Power District reminds large equipment operators to look up and look out for power lines, especially as farmers head back to the fields for planting season.
When large equipment gets too close to a power line, electricity can arc to the equipment, leaving the equipment damaged with the potential to cause serious or fatal injuries to the operator.
“It’s important for farmers, and other large equipment operators, to identify where power lines travel along their land or the areas they are working, so they can maintain a safe distance with their equipment,” says NPPD Vice President of Energy Delivery Scott Walz. “Taking the extra time to check your surroundings can help ensure someone doesn’t accidentally unfold a tall piece of equipment under a power line or get too close to a line while they are working.”
If a vehicle or piece of equipment is in contact with a power line, call 911 or your local power provider and remain inside the vehicle until help can arrive and deenergize the power line. When a power line is touching a vehicle, it can electrify both the vehicle and the ground in the surrounding area. If a fire forces you to exit the vehicle, then do so by jumping away from the vehicle, landing on two feet, and shuffling as far away from the area as possible.
NPPD encourages farmers to review the following safety precautions before entering the fields to begin harvest operations. Find more information on farm safety at NPPD.com.
- Each day, review all farm activities and work practices that will take place around power lines and remind all workers to take precautions.
- Know the location of power lines and when setting up the farm equipment, be at least 20 feet away from them. Contact your local public power provider if you feel this distance cannot be achieved.
- Use caution when raising augers or the bed of a grain truck or wagon. It can be difficult to estimate distance, and sometimes a power line is closer than it looks. For large equipment, use a spotter to ensure the equipment stays a safe distance from the line.
- Always adjust portable augers or elevators to their lowest possible level – under 14 feet – before transporting them. Variables like wind, uneven ground, or shifting weight can cause unexpected results.
