Ever larger farm machinery is increasing the frequency and expense of potentially serious contacts with power lines and poles in rural America.

Failing to account for the increased exposure presented by these new generation (much larger) machines has led to more incidents, incidents that can result in deaths and severe injuries when new oversized equipment contacts distribution wires, neutrals, poles or other supporting structures. Here are some steps you can take to prevent this from happening on your distribution system.

• Ensure that you provide a comprehensive farm equipment safety handout or brochure readily available in an obvious place in your lobby or waiting area.
• Offer access to safety posters listing the same information to any interested members and to local farm supply vendors.
• Seek out opportunities to make safety presentations to the leading local farming organizations in the area, such as the Farm Bureau, Grange or similar groups. You can use the same demo that you offer to school kids.

Side Note -- All three of the approaches above should at a minimum advise of:

1. The nature of distribution line voltage vs. "house current" and the danger of power line contacts and pole collisions
2. The importance of overhead awareness and warning decals
3. The benefits of using of spotters when loading, transporting, or first using large modern farm equipment
4. The need to know the full height of their machines, including any antennas.
5. The fact that under no circumstances should anyone attempt to free machinery from power lines, particularly by using handy makeshift devices such as boards, branches, or ropes, all of which can be conductive.
6. Finally, remind them that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. (For example, neutral lines are not always safe to touch!)

• Know your large farm operators and make sure that they have safe access to fields, with sufficient clearance for the latest generation of machines.
• Keep your overhead lines away from areas where you know that portable grain augers or other similar pieces of equipment will be in use. If you don’t, prepare to answer these simple questions after the contact, "Did you know about this possibility? Why didn’t you do something?" (Hint—The expense of moving such lines does not go over well in court.)
• Last but certainly not least, it is important to know if your state has enacted some variant of “High Voltage Safety Act” (HVSA) or “Overhead Power Line Act.” Many states have passed such statutes which typically require notice to the electric utility prior to work being conducted near the electric lines. If your state has one, you should take every available opportunity to inform the public, and particularly those who, like farmers, are likely to be exposed through their work near your power lines

Make it a safe farming season. By taking these basic steps, you might save a life!