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Harvest Safety

Be safe around electricity when moving farm equipment

As harvest season ramps up in Indiana, farmers and their crews are busy moving equipment to and from the fields. This increased activity, however, raises the risk of accidents, especially involving electricity.

Combines and grain augers are large pieces of equipment. People assume everything will fit under the power lines, but that isn’t always the case. The biggest cause of electrocutions on farms is equipment accidentally touching power lines.

To prevent such dangerous incidents, SCI REMC offers the following safety guidelines:

  • Observe your surroundings. Always check above and around before moving or raising equipment. Remember, power lines can sag, especially in hot weather. Maintain a minimum clearance of 10 feet from all power lines and poles.
  • Never try to raise power lines to allow tall equipment to pass through. Even non-metallic objects like wood poles or branches can conduct electricity.
  • Be cautious around power poles. Striking a pole can cause it to break and drop live wires onto your equipment.
  • Lower equipment properly. Ensure that equipment like grain augers and other portable equipment are fully lowered before transporting.
  • Use a spotter. When navigating near power lines, having a spotter can enhance safety by providing an extra set of eyes.
  • Plan your route. If there’s any doubt equipment will clear a power line, opt for an alternative route.
  • Stay put in emergencies. If you’re in equipment that touches power lines, stay in the cab and call for help. Tell others to stay away. In the rare case of a fire and an emergency exit is necessary, jump clear without touching the ground and the equipment simultaneously, then shuffle with both feet together for at least 30 feet to avoid electrical shock.

Working the land has enough hazards in the work itself. With care and planning, moving to and from the fields shouldn’t be one of them.

National Farm Safety and Health Week

Fall harvest time can be one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons for the agriculture industry. National Farm Safety and Health Week is Sept. 15-21, and the purpose of the week is to raise awareness of the importance of practicing and promoting safe work habits and conditions.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the agricultural sector is one of the most dangerous sectors in the U.S. In 2019, there were 573 fatalities or an equivalent of 23.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. However, many injuries are preventable through education. Severe injuries and death can be prevented by cautiously approaching field adjustments or repairs, taking precautions to avoid slips and falls, making smart decisions while assigning tasks to youth, using and maintaining the slow-moving vehicle emblem correctly, and retrofitting tractors with rollover structures.

Knowledge is power for farm safety

Anyone who operates farm equipment and augers should be educated about safe operating procedures and hazards, including the possibility of coming in contact with power lines. Your electric cooperative reminds you to be alert when you’re at work.

  • Remember: Lower grain augers to a horizontal position before moving from location to location. Pay attention to where power lines are located before raising an auger into position.
  • Think safe, think 10 — the 10-foot rule, that is! When working with farm equipment or machinery, stay away from power lines at least 10 feet in every direction. Call your electric cooperative first if you need to work within 10 feet of an overhead power line.