Electricity does great things for us every day. It makes our lives better and easier.  However, when farm equipment comes in contact with power poles, energized wires, transformers, or other electrical equipment, the result can be life-threatening.  As sunny days become more frequent and soil temperatures rise, don’t let your enthusiasm for spring planting lead to injuries.   Take time to be safe.

Stop the tractor when swatting flies in the cab, taking a drink out of your water jug, talking on your cell phone, dealing with a coughing spell, etc... Just a few seconds of distraction can have you driving into a power pole.

Be observant of overhead power lines when moving tall equipment near power lines.

Be alert for guy wires, power poles, and ground level transformer boxes.

If your farm machinery does hit a power pole or come in contact with electrical wires, follow these rules to stay safe:

Always assume a power line is hot.  Do not get out of the vehicle unless it is on fire, and even then exit using careful safety procedures. Your safest place is to stay in the equipment and call for help using a cell phone or radio or to wave at someone passing by. Request someone to call 911 and the electric company.  Do not let others get close to the farm equipment until it is cleared.   Only after they arrive and clear your vehicle of energized lines will it be safe to get out.

If your vehicle is making contact with energized wires, the tires or other grounded parts may start to melt and burn. If your vehicle is on fire, jump out and away from the vehicle so that no part of your body touches the equipment and the ground at the same time. Continue jumping away from the vehicle with your feet together, downhill if possible, until you are well away from the vehicle. Be sure to visually check for any wires on the ground or in your path away from the equipment before jumping.

Do not attempt to move a downed line with anything.

Accidents can happen during peak planting season because we tend to sleep less, cut corners, drive faster and generally work faster.  Take the time to stay safe – after all, you want to be around for harvest season.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Action Committee for Rural Electrification

Do you want an easy way to stay informed on issues that are important to you and your neighbors? Would you like to play an active role as a community member?  Do you want to have your views heard by your elected officials on issues of importance to both Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric and our member-owners?  Do you want to take part in making sure that your Cooperative’s voice is strong at the state and national level?  Participation in the ACRE® Co-op Owners for Political Action program (COPA) helps Co-op owners like you maintain a grassroots presence, which plays a vital role in promoting the long-term success of electric Cooperatives and the people in the communities they serve. COPA exists to inform electric Cooperative members about legislative developments at both the state and federal levels that could affect you, your community, and your Cooperative.  It helps you have your view heard by elected officials on issues of importance to both the Cooperative and its members. 

It is easy for you to participate and there could not be a more critical time for you to join.  COPA is comprised of Co-op member-owners, from all backgrounds and regions of the country; all who understand that political involvement is a necessary ingredient for success in the political process.  You don’t have to look past the morning headlines to see that energy-related issues are at the forefront of today’s political environment. The legislation and regulations crafted by lawmaker’s impact electric cooperatives and their member-owners.   As a member-owned cooperative, we have a responsibility to provide elected officials with the information they need to make good decisions and effective policy.  You can help make sure these important lines of communication stay open by supporting COPA. It does not take a lot of time or money to be a cooperative advocate.  You may contribute through an addition to your monthly electric bill or by making a single annual contribution.   An online authorization form is available for you to fill out at www.swce.coop/acre.php. Enroll today and join the over 300 SWCE member-owners who already participate.  Together we can continue the fight for a viable environment for electric cooperatives and the quality of life they bring to your community.