As your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative, we are 100% committed to powering a safe, productive way of life for you, your family and your community. Providing you with valuable farm safety information and resources is essential to that commitment.
You always have to use caution when operating large farm machinery and equipment around power lines; this includes but is not limited to combines, tractors, sprayers, augers, and folding equipment (e.g., planters, tillage equipment, etc.). Below are some simple, straightforward safety resources for you and anyone else who plays a role in your farm or ranch operation.
Always Be Aware of Your Surroundings
The best way to stay safe while operating farm equipment is to be aware of your surroundings. Look up, down and all around, taking note of any power lines in your vicinity and using a trained spotter whenever vehicle clearance is in question. If you need to verify clearance height or require assistance passing beneath power lines, always contact your local power cooperative.
What to Do if You Make Contact with Power Lines
If any part of your vehicle or equipment makes contact with a power line, remain in your vehicle, call 911 and then contact your local power cooperative. Make sure you have the contact information of your Touchstone Energy® Cooperative saved to your phone.
You should always remain in your vehicle until the area has been surveyed and cleared by a trained technician. Don't let anyone else touch you, your vehicle or any equipment in question in order to protect them from getting electrocuted. If there is a fire or other hazardous threat to your physical safety that forces you to exit the cab, it is critical that you tuck your arms across your body and, with your feet together, jump as far away from the vehicle as possible so that no part of your body touches the equipment and the ground at the same time.
IMPORTANT: Never make simultaneous contact with the ground and a vehicle that has come in contact with a power line.
Once on the ground, keep your feet together and hop or shuffle until you are at least 40 feet away. Electricity spreads through the ground in ripples; keeping your feet together lowers your risk of electrocution by preventing one foot from coming into contact with higher voltage levels in the ground than the other. You should remain at this safe distance — and keep others away from the area, too — until utility and emergency responders have indicated it is safe to return. Continue to monitor the area for potential hazards by looking up, down and all around.
Find Additional Resources & Support
Still have questions about farm safety and power lines? Contact us and we'll be in touch shortly.
