Objective:
To be able to prevent contact with overhead power supply lines.
Background:
Using electrical equipment on farms saves time and labour. If large agricultural equipment, such as
portable elevators, augers, irrigation pipes, grain trucks and harvesting machinery, come in contact with
overhead power lines, the operator will be electrocuted resulting in death or disabilities. Irrigation pipes
only need to be near an overhead power line to kill the handler.
Employees should check for overhead power lines before:
Pulling or installing pump casing and pipe.
Raising or lowering farm machinery.
Moving irrigation equipment.
Pruning Trees.
Constructing buildings.
Remember:
The absence of protective insulation from most overhead power lines makes any contact dangerous.
Non-metallic materials (lumber, tree limbs, tires, ropes, straw and hay) can conduct electricity.
Electricity always seeks the easiest and shortest path to ground. This includes going through people.
Do not touch power lines.
Unqualified workers, vehicles and machinery must stay at least ten feet away from unguarded
equipment.
Hay stored under power lines increases the chance that a loader will contact the power lines.
AGRICULTURAL SAFETY TOPICS
OvERhEAd ELECTRICAL hAzARdS
wsps.ca
