Spring Safety on the Farm
FROM THE ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER/COO
Mark Doebele
Spring is here, and farm work is picking up fast. As you get back into the fields, it’s a good time to keep safety front and center. At 4 Rivers, we want everyone — members and employees alike — to stay safe, especially when working around electrical equipment and overhead power lines. Whether you’re prepping fields, moving large equipment, or planning a controlled burn, staying alert to electrical hazards helps prevent accidents and protects lives.
One of the biggest dangers on the farm is accidental contact with overhead power lines. Tall equipment like combines, sprayers and augers can reach higher than you expect, and one distracted moment can create a very dangerous situation. Before heading into a field, take a look around, find the power lines, and plan a safe route that avoids them. Keep at least 10 feet of space between your equipment and the lines. If you have to work close to them, have a spotter nearby.
When moving or transporting large equipment, double-check the height and make sure nothing gets too close to energized space. If your equipment accidentally touches a power line, stay inside the cab and call 911 right away. The only time you should leave is if there’s a fire. In that case, jump clear with both feet together and shuffle away, keeping both feet on the ground to avoid shock. Also keep an eye out for guy wires that help stabilize power poles. Damaging one can quickly create a hazardous situation.
Each spring, farmers and ranchers across our 16-county service area begin their annual pasture burns. These burns help clear away old growth, encourage new vegetation, and control invasive species. When burns take place near electrical equipment, they require extra care to prevent outages, injuries or damage.
Before starting a burn, review local regulations, get any required permits, and let neighbors and your local fire department know your plans. Locate all power poles in the burn area and try to maintain at least 15 feet of distance. If you can’t, give 4 Rivers Electric a call for guidance. Create a firebreak by clearing dry grass around each pole and wet the ground around the base — but avoid spraying the pole directly.
Choose a calm-weather day, gather a team, and have tools like shovels, rakes, and extinguishers handy. Never leave a burn unattended. If the burn starts getting out of control or moves toward power lines, call the fire department and 4 Rivers immediately.
After the burn, keep an eye on the area for several hours to make sure no embers reignite. If you notice any damage to poles or lines or even think something might be wrong, report it right away. We’re here to help keep everyone safe.