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Nolin RECC

As a Touchstone Energy® Cooperative, Nolin RECC is committed to being a community leader safely providing reliable, cost-effective services that improve the quality of living for our members

Farm Safety

Electrical safety is essential to protecting our farmers

Electrical safety is essential for the well-being of those who work and live on our community’s farms. The familiar sights around the farm can easily fade into the background, especially during the busy harvest season, and farm workers can accidently overlook a damaged electrical cord or a power line overhead. It is important to stay alert and plan to be safe so that everyone is able to go home to their loved ones at the end of the day.

Planning to construct or move a grain bin?
READ THIS FIRST

General farm safety tips:

  1. Start each morning by planning your day’s work. Make sure anyone working near a power line knows how to safely navigate the area.
  2. Exercise caution near power lines. Maintain a “360” awareness of your surroundings (around, above and below) and plan safe equipment routes. Be careful when raising augers or the bed of grain trucks around power lines.
  3. Use spotters when operating large machinery near power lines. Ensure the spotters do not touch the machinery while it is moving near power lines.
  4. Lower equipment extensions, portable augers or elevators before moving or transporting equipment. Do not raise equipment, such as ladders, poles or rods into power lines. Remember that non-metallic materials like lumber, tree limbs, ropes and hay can conduct electricity.
  5. Never attempt to raise or move power lines to clear a path. Doing so could result in electric shock or death. If any power or other lines start to sag over time, call Nolin or the appropriate provider.
  6. Regularly inspect electrical cords, plugs and equipment for damage. Replace or repair any that are damaged.
  7. Hire qualified electricians. Ensure that qualified electricians handle work on drying equipment and other farm electrical systems.
  8. If you are on equipment that comes in contact with a power line, do not exit the equipment. Electricity can run through the equipment and surrounding ground, so it is important to keep others at least 50 feet away from the equipment and contact your power provider. If the equipment is on fire and you must exit, jump completely clear of the vehicle with both feet together. Hop as far away as possible keeping your feet together.
  9. Keep appropriate clearance around grain bins or other structures. Before constructing a new grain bin (or moving an existing bin), be sure to contact Nolin or your power provider to review the site-specific safety clearance considerations and your electrical service requirements. Any clearance violations identified after installation may require the relocation of the grain bin or the power lines, both of which are costly.

Maintain a “360” awareness of your
surroundings – around, above and below- and plan safe equipment routes.

Keep a safe distance in all directions from power lines and poles.

Get a new tall piece of equipment?
Contact Nolin RECC 270-765-6153 to verify
required safety clearances.

Would you know what to do if a downed power line was in contact with your farm vehicle?