grain bin safety By Abby Berry
As rewarding as it may be, farming is an extremely difficult job - and it ranks among the top 10 most dangerous professions in the United States. At Harmon Electric, safety is top priority for all - our employees and our members.
MINIMUM 143' MINIMUM 80' 55' 55' MINIMUM MINIMUM MINIMUM MINIMUM 80' MINIMUM
Our farmers work hard to get the job done, and sometimes it’s easy to forget all the necessary steps to take when practicing safe operations. Grain bins are siloed spaces built for storing grain and fermented feed known as silage. These bins play an integral role in the efficiency and profitability of farm and ranch operations, and safety regulations should always be considered when working around these structures.
25' 18.5' 18.5' 15' 15'
Whether you’re purchasing new grain bins or remodeling areas that contain existing ones, proximity to overhead power lines must be a considered factor.
HIGH BIN
Safe clearance
HIGH BIN
50'
HIGH BIN
25'
HIGH BIN
HIGH BIN
18.5' MINIMUM 143' MINIMUM MINIMUM 80' 55' MINIMUM 50'
HIGH BIN
15'
HIGH BIN
danger: high voltage! follow farm safety rules around power lines
danger: high voltage! follow farm safety rules around power lines
The National Electrical Safety Code requires an 18-foot minimum vertical clearance from the highest point of the filling port of the grain bin to nearby high-voltage wires and a 55-foot minimum distance from the power line to the grain bin wall. See the charts to the upper right and below for further guidelines. Changes to landscaping and drainage work can affect clearance heights of power lines, so remember to check these measurements regularly.
Height of grain storage structure
15 . 20 .
25 . 30 . 35 . 40 . 50 . 60 . 70 . 80 .
15 . 20 .
*Based on a typical power line having a vercal clearance of 18.5 feet above the ground and a supply line phase to ground voltage of more than 0V to 22KV; Naonal Electrical Safety Code Rule 232.
25 . 30 . 35 . 40 . 50 . 60 . 70 . 80 .
104 . 118 . 143 . 168 . 193 . 218 .
Height of grain storage structure
Height of grain storage structure
D=Minimum distance from line to bin wall*
55 . 68 .
80 . 93 . 104 . 118 . 143 . 168 . 193 . 218 .
55 . 68 .
80 . 93 .
D=Minimum distance from line to bin wall*
D=Minimum distance from line to bin wall*
danger: high voltage!
Height of grain storage structure
15 . 20 .
follow farm safety rules around power lines
25 . 30 . 35 . 40 . 50 . 60 . 70 . 80 .
Moving equipment near grain bins When moving equipment, such as a hopper or a scaffold, be aware of nearby power lines. Remember to maintain a 10-foot clearance to ensure safety.
*Based on a typical power line having a vercal clearance of 18.5 feet above the ground and a supply line phase to ground voltage of more than 0V to 22KV; Naonal Electrical Safety Code Rule 232.
D
Accidents can happen in a split-second, which is why Harmon Electric reminds you to always use caution when working near power lines. If you are considering a plan for a new grain bin or reconstruction of an existing bin’s site, please contact Harmon Electric at 580-688-3342, and let us assist you in maintaining a safe environment for you and your family.
80 . 93 . 104 . 118 . 143 . 168 . 193 . 218 .
18.5' 18.5' D D
*Based on a typical power line having a vercal clearance of 18.5 feet above the ground and a supply line phase to ground voltage of more than 0V to 22KV; Naonal Electrical Safety Code Rule 232.
NO. OF OUTAGES
1 2 1 1 1
11 1
Charles Paxton presents Steve Fancher a commemorative electric meter lamp.
*Based on a typical power line having a vercal clearance of 18.5 feet above the ground and a supply line phase to ground voltage of more than 0V to 22KV; Naonal Electrical Safety Code Rule 232.
MONTHLY OUTAGE REPORT CAUSE OF OUTAGE
Scheduled outage Wind
Airplane flew through line Animal Unknown Lightning Car hit pole
Abby Berry writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.
18.5' D Filling grain bins
High-voltage power lines are not insulated, so it’s important to remember to maintain an adequate high-wire clearance when using a portable auger, conveyor or elevator to fill your grain bin.
55 . 68 .
D=Minimum distance from line to bin wall*
grain bin safety grain bin safety MINIMUM 143' 50' 25'
HIGH BIN
HIGH BIN
NO. OF METERS AFFECTED 1
274 4 5 1
111 378
For the month of April Harmon Electric experienced 18 separate outages. The total members affected were 774 with an average time off of 2.11 hours. The largest outages were due to damage incurred when a car hit a pole.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128
