News Release from: Pacific Power
FARMERS AND RANCHERS URGED TO TAKE CAUTION AROUND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Posted: June 12th, 2012 9:45 AM
Contact: Media Hotline, 800-570-5838 June 12, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Farmers and ranchers urged to take caution around electrical equipment
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Safety awareness around electricity isn't just for homes and city streets. Those working in agricultural fields, orchards and other seemingly wide-open spaces, especially with large vehicles and agricultural equipment, also need to be aware when their work takes them near electric utility equipment such as overhead wires and structures.
Electricity enables hundreds of jobs to be done quickly and easily in the business of farming and ranching. However, electricity also can be extremely dangerous if proper safety precautions aren't taken while moving irrigation pipe, or using ladders, picking machines, tractors and harvesters.
"It's critical to always maintain awareness of power lines when operating equipment and working in fields where power lines share space with crops, livestock, orchards, workers and equipment," said Gene Morris, Pacific Power safety director. "With the growing season now underway, it's especially important to focus on safe behavior around electricity. Inattentive or careless actions around power lines and other electrical equipment can have disastrous consequences."
Pacific Power urges the following precautions to keep farmers, ranchers and others safe while working around electricity:
* Look up. Always look up for overhead power lines before beginning any outdoor activity.
* Follow the 10-foot rule. Most overhead power lines are not insulated. Keep everything - yourself, the tools and materials you are handling and the equipment you are operating - at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines. Any contact with wires by branches, pipe or equipment can be fatal.
* Never stand an irrigation pipe on end anywhere near a power line.
* Always lower grain augers and other equipment with booms attached before working anywhere near power lines, poles and substations. Follow the 10-foot rule, and have someone spot for you.
* Never stack or store irrigation pipe, hay and hay bales, or other materials directly underneath or adjacent to power lines.
* Use caution when moving equipment near power poles. Beware of hooking guy wires (non-energized wires used to tether end-poles to the ground) when operating vehicles or moving tools and equipment.
* Call before you dig. Call 811 to have your local underground utility locator service mark all utility lines for free before you dig.
* Irrigate with care. Do not spray water on power lines, equipment or structures.
Follow these guidelines if a power line falls onto the vehicle, combine or heavy equipment you are operating:
* If you can do so safely, drive the vehicle or equipment away from the line.
* Stay seated until professional rescue workers say it's safe to get off.
* Warn others to stay away. Anyone who touches the vehicle or equipment, or even the ground nearby, may be injured or killed.
* Have someone immediately call both 911 and Pacific Power at 1-888-221-7070.
* If fire or other immediate danger forces you to leave the vehicle or equipment, jump clear, keeping both feet together. Do not touch the ground and the vehicle/equipment at the same time. Shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground, or hop away keeping both feet together.
* Call 911 if someone makes contact with electricity and needs medical attention. Never touch a person or object in contact with electricity, since you could also become part of the electrical current's path to the ground and be seriously injured or killed.
* If a line has fallen on the ground or on some other object or piece of equipment, always assume it's energized. Stay clear, keep others away and call 911 and Pacific Power toll free at 1-888-221-7070.
For safety materials, including Pacific Power's Electrical safety on your farm or ranch brochure, Alerta! Fuera de Casa brochure in Spanish, and Look Up and Live irrigation safety stickers in English and Spanish - or to schedule a free safety presentation - call Pacific Power toll free at 1-800-375-7085 or visit www.pacificpower.net/safety. For all other information, including safety assistance around power lines, call toll free at 1-888-221-7070.
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About Pacific Power
Pacific Power is headquartered in Portland, and provides electric service to more than 730,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. It is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, providing 1.7 million customers with value for their energy dollar and safe, reliable electricity. In 2010, Pacific Power celebrated 100 years serving customers and communities. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net.
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