Vol. 64 Number 9 E
News orthwestern Electric July 2013 Watch out for power lines when operating large equipment
very year, serious outdoor accidents involving electric- ity 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 accidents. To prevent accidental contact 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 main- taining a minimum 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 energized 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 energized still ex- ists. Warn others who may be nearby to stay away and wait until our crews arrive to disconnect power. “Never leave the cab unless it is too dangerous, as in the case of the vehicle being on fire,” advises John Kirkwood, safety coordinator for Northwestern 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 attempt 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 extremely hazardous situation. If you hit a guy wire and break it, call Northwestern Electric to fix it. Do not attempt to do it yourself. When dealing with electri-
Inside
Keyser retires................2 Energy Camp ................3 Recipe............................3 Watts Up Kids Camp ....4 Youth Tour reunion.......4
Operators of heavy equipment and farm machinery should take extra precautions to avoid coming in contact with power lines or damaging guy wires that support power poles.
cal 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 ir- rigation pipes are accidentally raised into power lines. This combination can be deadly.
Owners and managers should make sure full-time and seasonal workers are educated on these safety precautions. Potentially danger- ous areas need to be identified and marked as such. Designate pre- planned routes that avoid these areas. Remember to look up, look down, look all around and stay safe!
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 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148