Farm Safety

Power lines can be extremely dangerous. Know how to stay safe around electricity.

Coming into contact with a power line can be deadly. That's why it's important to assume that all power lines, whether in the air or on the ground, are energized.

While planting, spraying or harvesting, remain aware of where electrical equipment is located when you’re working on the farm and remember the steps to take if your equipment contacts a power line.

If your vehicle or equipment comes into contact with a power line:

  • Stay in the cab and call 911 for help.
  • Trying to exit the vehicle can result in an electrical shock that could be deadly.
  • A call to 911 could save your life.
  • If you must exit the vehicle because of a fire, tuck your arms across your body and jump clear of any wires with your feet together, never touching the equipment and ground at the same time. Then hop or shuffle at least 35 feet away, keeping your feet together.

 

What to do if your vehicle contacts a power line:

Stay put

Stay in the vehicle and call 911 for help.

Only exit if you must

If you must exit the vehicle because of a fire, tuck your arms across your body and jump clear of any wires with your feet together, never touching the equipment and ground at the same time. Then shuffle or hop at least 35 feet away with your feet together.

Stay away

Stay away from the equipment until the authorities tell you it is safe.

A tragic mistake: an important reminder about farm equipment and overhead power lines

Grant McCann

A tragic mistake: an important reminder about farm equipment and overhead power lines

On June 7, 2016, Grant McCann was spraying farm fields. Grant drove under a power line. Unfortunately, Grant didn’t drive far enough into the field. He stopped at an angle close to the power lines. As he began unfolding the 90-foot sprayer booms, they touched the energized power line which instantly electrified the tractor.
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Stay away from downed power lines

  • Keep people, equipment and objects at least 35 feet away from down or low-hanging power lines.
  • Never attempt to remove a fallen tree or branch from a power line. You could be seriously injured or killed.
  • If a tree or branch does come in contact with a power line, keep yourself and others away from the tree and contact NorthWestern Energy.