Our nation’s farmers are out doing what they do best: feeding and clothing the world. It’s harvest season – a time to reap the reward of the hard work that has taken place on farms across the state this summer. Even though we’re coming to the close of the crop season, safety still needs to be your number one priority.

Each year, around 62 farm workers in the U.S. are electrocuted, according to the National Ag Safety Database. So, before you jump in the combine, do a thorough look over your fields and locate any potential risks before harvesting. This includes low power lines or poles that will be in the path of your machinery. If you see any issues, plan your route and alert your cooperative accordingly.

When you are making your plans, make sure your equipment will maintain a minimum of 10 feet in all directions, including above, between the machinery and the power lines. You can even call your co-op to determine the transport and clearance height for farm equipment. It is important to never measure line heights yourself to keep everyone safe.

Most importantly, before you get out in the fields this harvest season, make sure you know what to do in the case of an emergency. If your combine, auger or grain cart meets an overhead power line, stay in the cab and call 911. Dispatchers will notify Southwest Tennessee EMC so that we can quickly de-energize the line. If you have to exit the combine in the case of a fire, be sure to jump clear and as far as possible from the vehicle. From there, shuffle away slowly, avoiding lifting your feet completely off the ground for at least 100 feet. Electrical current can flow through the vehicle and energize the ground up to 100 feet away from the point of contact. Shuffling greatly reduces the current flow through your body from the energized ground.

If you have questions or concerns about operating farm machinery in proximity to power lines or any other aspect of electrical safety, please contact your local STEMC office. We hope you have a safe and successful harvest!