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LOOK UP AND LIVE Watch Out for Power Lines When


Operating Large Equipment Know your surroundings and “Look Up and Live”


Every year, serious outdoor accidents involving electricity occur on work sites and farms. Most of these accidents could be prevented by following safe work practices at all times— even if it takes a little extra time to prevent such tragic acci- dents. To prevent accidental con- tact with overhead lines, make sure you, your family or your employees know the location of overhead power lines and map out ways to avoid them when moving equipment. The National Electric Safety Code requires maintaining a mini- mum 10-foot clearance in all directions from power lines. Have someone watch as you drive equipment to ensure you stay clear of overhead lines.


If your equipment does come into contact with power lines, stay in the cab and call for help. If the power line is en- ergized and you step outside, your body becomes the path to the ground. Even if the line has landed on the ground, the potential for the area to be en- ergized still exists. Warn oth- ers who may be nearby to stay away and wait until our crews arrive to disconnect power. “Never leave the cab un- less it is too dangerous, as in the case of the vehicle being on fire,” advises David Reser, Director of Operations for Kay Electric. “If you must exit the vehicle, then you should jump, not step, with both feet hitting the ground at the same time. Don’t allow any part of your body to touch the equipment and the ground at the same time. Keep both feet together as you hop to safety. Once you get away from the equipment, never at-


4 • Kay Electric Cooperative


tempt to get back on or even touch the equipment before the power has been shut off.” Keeping at least 10 feet away also applies to guy wires that support power line poles. Steer mowers, tractors and other equipment clear of these wires. Damaging guy wires can weaken the poles, and even cause them to topple, bringing live power lines down onto the ground and creating an ex- tremely hazardous situation. If you hit a guy wire and break it, call Kay Electric Co-op to fix it. Do not attempt to do it yourself. When dealing with electrical poles and wires, always call us to repair the damage. Another thing to keep in mind is knowing where the power lines are when moving pipe. Many electrical accidents on farms occur when irrigation pipes are accidentally raised into power lines. This combina- tion can be deadly.


Owners and managers should make sure full-time and seasonal workers are edu- cated on these safety precau- tions. Potentially dangerous areas need to be identified and marked as such. Designate pre planned routes that avoid these areas.


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