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Electrical safety on the farm a must
One major area farmers must take regular precautions with is power lines. Try and stay as far away from power lines as possible and know the power line clearance requirements, which are spelled out in the National Electric Safety Code. When you have to work near power lines, know the height of all equipment you'll be using and lower any equipment that won't fit comfortably underneath any power lines. It's also important to know the NESC's minimum distance requirements, which tell you how close you can or can't work to power lines safely. If your equipment is too tall or bulky to work around a power line, do not try to move or raise the power line, as this can only be done by professionals after power has been turned off. Another thing to be careful of when working near power lines is the support poles. Unstable or old support poles can lead to a number of disasters, as heavy machinery can shake the ground and cause them to uproot, or even the slightest bump might make them fall down. It's a good idea, then, to notify your electric company of any suspect poles, especially if you know you'll be working near them anytime soon. Outdoor outlets can also result in a number of dangerous consequences if proper safety precautions are not taken. All outdoor outlets should use a ground fault interrupter as a means of protection from electrical shock. Standard household wiring consists of two 120 volt "hot wires" and a neutral wire. The currents in these wires must remain the same. When there is a difference in the currents, oftentimes the current diversion is because someone has come into contact with the "hot wire," and a shock occurs. A GFIrecognizes whenever there is such a diversion and it will interrupt the household circuit, an interruption that could save you from being electrocuted. Another thing to be wary of is underground power or gas lines. If you're not sure if you have such lines, call your energy provider. Similarly, if you know you have them, it's still imperative you call your provider and have them come out and mark just where those underground utilities are. In addition to working outdoors, many farmers also do a substantial amount of work in their shops. These areas should always be well lit and, if possible, have an easily accessible telephone installed just in case of an emergency. If your shop is heated, make sure it has proper ventilation and that no flammable liquids are kept in the shop area. A nearby shed or a smaller, unheated shop is a good place to store such items. Another easy-to-remember precaution to take concerns your power tools. Whenever you're finished using your power tools or you just need to put them down for a moment, unplug them from their power source. Leaving them plugged in is unnecessary and only leaves you open to accidents. Also, when cleaning your tools, make sure they're not plugged in and any safety valves on the tools themselves have been locked in. Finally, a lock-out switch is something all farmers should have. This enables you to turn off all power from just one area. In case of severe emergencies, this can make all the difference in keeping an accident from turning into a tragedy.
To learn more about farm safety or the requirements for electrical safety, visit the National Fire Protection Association Web site at www.nfpa.org.
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