By NPPD
Columbus, Neb. –Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) wants to remind equipment operators to look up and look out for power lines while working in the field during harvest season.
NPPD encourages equipment operators to keep their machines 20 feet away from power lines to avoid the possibility of any electricity arcing from the line to the equipment.
“It’s easy for an equipment operator to unintentionally move machinery too close to a power line — or even make contact — if they aren’t fully aware of their surroundings,” said NPPD District Distribution Manager Trevor Roth. “When large equipment gets near a power line, electricity can arc to the machinery, which can lead to significant damage and pose a serious or even fatal risk to the operator.”
If a power line falls onto a vehicle or piece of equipment, anyone inside the vehicle should remain there until help can arrive and deenergize the power line. When a power line is touching a vehicle or lying on the ground, it can electrify both the vehicle and the ground in the surrounding area. If a fire forces you to exit the vehicle, then do so by jumping away from the vehicle, landing on two feet, and shuffling as far away from the area as possible.
Find additional safety tips below or find more information on harvest safety on NPPD’s website at https://nppd.com/outages-safety/electrical-safety.
- Each day review all farm activities and work practices that will take place around power lines and remind all workers to take precautions.
- Know the location of power lines, and when setting up the farm equipment, be at least 20 feet away from them. Contact your local public power provider if you feel this distance cannot be achieved.
- Use caution when raising augers or the bed of a grain truck or wagon. It can be difficult to estimate distance, and sometimes a power line is closer than it looks. For large equipment, use a spotter to make certain the equipment stays a safe distance from the line.
- Always adjust portable augers or elevators to their lowest possible level – under 14 feet – before transporting them. Variables like wind, uneven ground or shifting weight can cause unexpected results.