Each year, farm workers are killed or injured
when their equipment comes in contact with overhead lines.
Take a good look around your farm and know the location of all power lines. Plan safe travel routes for all large equipment. Ensure proper clearance when loading or transporting equipment to fields and performing maintenance or repairs on farming equipment near power lines. Always lower augers and extensions when moving farm equipment. Be aware that uneven ground and shifting weight can create an unexpected result.
Know What's Below - Call Before You Dig
Serious accidents can also occur with utility lines buried in and around farm
fields. Be observant of what is underground as well as above. Never
assume the location or depth of underground utility lines. For deeper
excavation projects other than routine farm tillage operations, simply call
JULIE at 811 or 800-892-0123, 48 hours (two working days) in advance of your
excavation project. The call and service are free, and it can help you
avoid serious injury and prevent the inconvenience of utility interruptions.
To learn more, visit
www.SafeElectricity.org.
Many rural locations may also have pipelines buried underground. Be aware that while pipeline markers are used to mark the approximate location, they cannot be relied upon to indicate the exact position of the pipeline. These markers display the name of the pipeline operator, the product transported and an emergency number for that company. Pipeline markers are required by the United States Department of Transportation and should never be removed or relocated by anyone other than a pipeline operator.