February 26, 2021 • 12 mins
As farmers return to fields for planting, stay alert to the dangers of working near overhead power lines. Be cautious and think twice before acting when around electric lines. If you work on a farm or know someone who does, listen to expert guest, Melanie Oetting, Manager of Administrative Services at Consolidated Electric Cooperative to learn more about how to stay safe during spring planting.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Sally Shatty (00:00):
My name's Sally Shatty and I'm a member of CMO
Electric Cooperative. The bestthing about my electric
cooperative is that they're alocal cooperative that manages
a lot of small rural areas, butthey make a huge difference.
They always put their membersfirst, they help other
cooperatives when in need.
(00:20):
They're very community engaged,dependable, and they're also
friendly local faces that Iknow.
Harrison Waters (00:45):
All right , well, hello everybody and
welcome to the Power for YourLife podcast, where we focus on
energy efficiency, the value ofelectric, cooperative
membership, and safety aroundelectricity. I'm Harrison
Waters, your host, and today wewill be discussing farm
planting safety. You know,springtime makes most people
think of warmer weather andflowers, but for farmers it's
(01:08):
planting season. They usuallyassociate spring with long work
days and a busy agenda. Andwhen you're fatigued and not
paying attention to yoursurroundings, accidents can
occur. Accidents withelectrical lines unfortunately
can be fatal and sometimesdon't give you the chance to
recover with me by phone. Todayto talk about how farmers can
stay safe during plantingseason is Melanie Edding .
(01:31):
She's the manager ofadministrative Services at
Consolidated ElectricCooperative in Mexico,
Missouri. Melanie, thank you somuch for joining me today.
Melanie Edding (01:40):
Hi, Harrison.
Thank you for having me.
Harrison Waters (01:43):
Absolutely.
I'm excited about this one. Um,I had to look some stuff up,
you know, for this podcast, andit was really eye-opening for
me , uh, to see how manyaccidents occur on the farm. If
you're not being cautious. Uh,in 2019, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics ranked farmersseventh in the list of the most
dangerous jobs. I would'venever guessed that the criteria
(02:05):
to determine this ranking isthe number of civilian jobs
with the highest fatalityrates, and that's just a scary
number for farmers and theirfamilies. So to avoid a
potential dangerous situation,safety should be obviously a
top priority in every farmer'sdaily routine. With the hustle
and bustle of spring planningseason, though, what are some
(02:27):
of these ways that farmers canprepare to stay safe from
electrical dangers?
Melanie Edding (02:32):
Harrison, you know, it's important to take a
few extra minutes every morningor even throughout the day as
your plans change or problemsoccur, and you're alternating
ideas of how your day was goingto be. Take that time to before
heading to the fields or movingequipment around the farm, to
talk with those working andremind everyone of the dangers
(02:54):
associated when working nearelectricity. It's everyone's
responsibility to make, makestaying safe around electricity
a priority. We encourageplanning routes and designating
paths where equipment can bemoved safely to avoid electric
lines. In situations wherethere are no alternate routes.
To avoid power lines, considerusing a spotter when moving
(03:14):
equipment. Also, we recommendinspecting the length and
height of the equipment that'sbeing used, and always remember
to maintain a 10 foot clearancefrom electric lines, poles and
G wires at all times. Anotherimportant tip is to check
electric equipment in barns andshops to make sure it isn't
malfunctioning or it hasn'tbeen damaged by age or weather.
(03:37):
Keep power tools, motors, andcords organized and in good
repair and check themfrequently for fraying
scratching or signs ofscorching. Another important
thing to remember is keep thoseextension cords away from
animals, water and damp areas.
Make sure that you're pluggingthem into a gfi ground fault
circuit interrupter outlet,especially when you're working
(03:59):
in a damp or a wet area. Mostimportantly, always know where
and how to shut the electricityoff if you need to. If you do
have to shut it off, label thebreaker so no one turns it back
on while you're working.
Harrison Waters (04:12):
Wonderful, wonderful. Well, those are all
great tips. Thank you so muchfor that. Um, you know, being
informed, educated and preparedcan really decrease your
chances of injury or fatalityeven. And we hope nobody ever
encounters accidentally hittinga power line or piece of
electrical equipment. However,we know it's vitally important
to know how to react. So whatshould someone do if their
(04:34):
equipment does come in contactwith a power line?
Melanie Edding (04:37):
If someone's involved in an accident
involving a power line pole ora G wire, the first thing to
remember is stay in themachinery or vehicle and call 9
1 1. If others come and attemptto help warn them to stay away,
always assume the wire is stillenergized. When the utility
crew arrives, they will let youknow when it's safe to exit.
(04:59):
The only reason to leave themachinery or vehicle that has
come in contact with the powerline before the utility crew
arrives is if it's on fire andyou're in danger. Now, while
it's rare for this to happen,if it does, you will wanna jump
as far as you can from themachinery or vehicle landing
with both feet together, thenhop or shuffle your feet until
(05:21):
you're at least 50 feet away.
Why? Electricity is alwayslooking for the easiest path to
ground when you exit thevehicle or machinery and touch
the ground, you can besubjected to risk of injury,
simply trying to move away fromthe grounding point.
Harrison Waters (05:38):
Great. Well, that's great information that
our listeners may not know. Uh,I could see how someone's first
in sync would be to get awayfrom the situation instead of
staying inside of the vehicleor machinery. Uh, are there any
general rules of thumb duringplanting season specifically
for farmers about how they canavoid contacting electrical
(05:59):
equipment?
Melanie Edding (06:00):
Yes. Always remember the 10 foot rule. This
should be observed as a 360degree rule. Always look below
to the sides and above thepower lines. You know, farming
equipment has become moremassive over time . Taller
equipment and longer extensionscan bring added challenges to
maneuvering around our powerlines. Always lower extensions
(06:23):
to the lowest setting whenmoving equipment. And again,
consider using a spotter whenyou are near power lines.
Perfect.
Harrison Waters (06:31):
All right , let's take a short break and
when we come back, Melanie willshare more farm planting safety
tips .
Speaker 4 (06:53):
Spring is a busy time on the farm. Don't
overlook safety in the rush.
Dozens of farm workers arekilled by electrocution each
year. When farm machines makecontact with overhead power
lines, take note of electricallines. When moving farm
equipment, make sure everyonewho works on the farm knows the
location of power lines andkeeps farm equipment at least
(07:14):
10 feet away, working to keepyou safe. Discover the value of
your co-op membership. Visitmembers first dot co-op today.
Speaker 5 (07:27):
Even though covid 19 is still a threat, your
touchstone energy cooperativeis as committed as ever to
keeping the power on so you cando your job. By staying home
and staying safe, disinfecthigh touch surfaces frequently
and check in on your neighborsand loved ones. Often you've
got the power to make adifference and you can count on
(07:48):
us to be here for you every day.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
Discover the value of your co-op membership. Visit
members first dot co-op today,
Harrison Waters (08:04):
Energy efficiency tip number 27,
verify livestock Water tankheaters are off when not
needed, and we're back with thePower for Your Life Podcast.
(08:39):
Visiting today with MelanieEdding from Consolidated
Electric Cooperative in Mexico,Missouri. Now, Melanie, you've
explained how farmers caneducate themselves about
electrical safety on the farmand what to do if equipment
encounters a power line. So howdoes a member know who to
contact when there's anelectrical issue or accident?
Melanie Edding (09:00):
Well, if there's an accident, it's
important to always call 9 1 1first. If you notice low
hanging wires or broken guywires or poles or equipment
that needs attention, then youshould call your utility
provider to report that issue.
If you have a general electricproblem such as no power in a
barn, you may need to call anelectrician. Always remember to
(09:23):
call 8 1 1 before digging. Ifthe problem lies below ground ,
this is a national number andthey will send a professional
locator to Mark undergroundservices, which will allow you
to work safely.
Harrison Waters (09:36):
Great. Well, that's valuable information
that , uh, should be shared toall farmers and those who work
on farms. What do youpersonally think is one of the
best ways for farmers to staysafe during spring planting
season?
Melanie Edding (09:48):
I think one of the most important ways to stay
safe is to keep a clear mind.
It's easy to get caught up inthe thoughts of what needs to
be done next in order to have asuccessful planning season, but
try to stay focused on thetasks at hand. Always keeping
safety in mind by being awareof your surroundings. Try to
take short breaks throughoutthe day, eat regularly, pack
(10:10):
nutritious snacks, and drinkplenty of fluids, and that
should help keep your body inmind in its best shape to get
your job done safely.
Harrison Waters (10:17):
I agree with you. That is one of the best
ways for farmers to ensuresafety this spring planting
season. Melanie, you have givenour listeners a lot of great
information to stay safe fromall things electric and power
on the farm. Even though wehave focused primarily on
spring planting safety, many ofthese tips can be applied
anytime work is being donearound the farm. Where can
(10:39):
listeners go to find moreinformation and safety tips if
they maybe want to dig a littlebit deeper?
Melanie Edding (10:44):
Well, they're always welcome to call their
local electric cooperative tospeak with the member services
or an energy servicesrepresentative if they prefer
online information. We havesome excellent resources
available on our members firstwebsite at members first dot
co-op and the safe electricitywebsite@safeelectricity.org.
Harrison Waters (11:05):
Perfect. Thank you, Melanie, so much. This has
been wonderful, and thanks forjoining me today.
Melanie Edding (11:10):
Well, you're welcome, Harrison. I really
appreciate the opportunity totalk with you and to share some
tips about farm plantingsafety.
Harrison Waters (11:17):
Absolutely, and I hope all farmers and farm
workers can use these safetytips throughout their spring
planting season. And if you'renot a farmer, please share this
with a farmer you know, andthank them for their time and
their sacrifice. I know allelectric cooperative staff have
gratitude and we are hoping fora safe and prosperous spring
planting season for farmers andour co-op country.
Speaker 4 (11:39):
Thanks for listening to the Power for Your Life
Podcast. To learn more aboutthis topic and other safety
efficiency and energytechnology information, contact
your local electriccooperative, or visit us on the
web at members first dot co-op.
You can also follow us onsocial media at
(12:02):
facebook.com/members firstcooperatives
pinterest.com/members first orinstagram.com/members. First ,
if you have a question or topicyou would like us to consider
for an upcoming episode, emailus at members first , a eci.org
(12:24):
.
My name's Sally Shatty and I'm a member of CMO
Electric Cooperative. The bestthing about my electric
cooperative is that they're alocal cooperative that manages
a lot of small rural areas, butthey make a huge difference.
They always put their membersfirst, they help other
cooperatives when in need.
(00:20):
They're very community engaged,dependable, and they're also
friendly local faces that Iknow.
Harrison Waters (00:45):
All right , well, hello everybody and
welcome to the Power for YourLife podcast, where we focus on
energy efficiency, the value ofelectric, cooperative
membership, and safety aroundelectricity. I'm Harrison
Waters, your host, and today wewill be discussing farm
planting safety. You know,springtime makes most people
think of warmer weather andflowers, but for farmers it's
(01:08):
planting season. They usuallyassociate spring with long work
days and a busy agenda. Andwhen you're fatigued and not
paying attention to yoursurroundings, accidents can
occur. Accidents withelectrical lines unfortunately
can be fatal and sometimesdon't give you the chance to
recover with me by phone. Todayto talk about how farmers can
stay safe during plantingseason is Melanie Edding .
(01:31):
She's the manager ofadministrative Services at
Consolidated ElectricCooperative in Mexico,
Missouri. Melanie, thank you somuch for joining me today.
Melanie Edding (01:40):
Hi, Harrison.
Thank you for having me.
Harrison Waters (01:43):
Absolutely.
I'm excited about this one. Um,I had to look some stuff up,
you know, for this podcast, andit was really eye-opening for
me , uh, to see how manyaccidents occur on the farm. If
you're not being cautious. Uh,in 2019, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics ranked farmersseventh in the list of the most
dangerous jobs. I would'venever guessed that the criteria
(02:05):
to determine this ranking isthe number of civilian jobs
with the highest fatalityrates, and that's just a scary
number for farmers and theirfamilies. So to avoid a
potential dangerous situation,safety should be obviously a
top priority in every farmer'sdaily routine. With the hustle
and bustle of spring planningseason, though, what are some
(02:27):
of these ways that farmers canprepare to stay safe from
electrical dangers?
Melanie Edding (02:32):
Harrison, you know, it's important to take a
few extra minutes every morningor even throughout the day as
your plans change or problemsoccur, and you're alternating
ideas of how your day was goingto be. Take that time to before
heading to the fields or movingequipment around the farm, to
talk with those working andremind everyone of the dangers
(02:54):
associated when working nearelectricity. It's everyone's
responsibility to make, makestaying safe around electricity
a priority. We encourageplanning routes and designating
paths where equipment can bemoved safely to avoid electric
lines. In situations wherethere are no alternate routes.
To avoid power lines, considerusing a spotter when moving
(03:14):
equipment. Also, we recommendinspecting the length and
height of the equipment that'sbeing used, and always remember
to maintain a 10 foot clearancefrom electric lines, poles and
G wires at all times. Anotherimportant tip is to check
electric equipment in barns andshops to make sure it isn't
malfunctioning or it hasn'tbeen damaged by age or weather.
(03:37):
Keep power tools, motors, andcords organized and in good
repair and check themfrequently for fraying
scratching or signs ofscorching. Another important
thing to remember is keep thoseextension cords away from
animals, water and damp areas.
Make sure that you're pluggingthem into a gfi ground fault
circuit interrupter outlet,especially when you're working
(03:59):
in a damp or a wet area. Mostimportantly, always know where
and how to shut the electricityoff if you need to. If you do
have to shut it off, label thebreaker so no one turns it back
on while you're working.
Harrison Waters (04:12):
Wonderful, wonderful. Well, those are all
great tips. Thank you so muchfor that. Um, you know, being
informed, educated and preparedcan really decrease your
chances of injury or fatalityeven. And we hope nobody ever
encounters accidentally hittinga power line or piece of
electrical equipment. However,we know it's vitally important
to know how to react. So whatshould someone do if their
(04:34):
equipment does come in contactwith a power line?
Melanie Edding (04:37):
If someone's involved in an accident
involving a power line pole ora G wire, the first thing to
remember is stay in themachinery or vehicle and call 9
1 1. If others come and attemptto help warn them to stay away,
always assume the wire is stillenergized. When the utility
crew arrives, they will let youknow when it's safe to exit.
(04:59):
The only reason to leave themachinery or vehicle that has
come in contact with the powerline before the utility crew
arrives is if it's on fire andyou're in danger. Now, while
it's rare for this to happen,if it does, you will wanna jump
as far as you can from themachinery or vehicle landing
with both feet together, thenhop or shuffle your feet until
(05:21):
you're at least 50 feet away.
Why? Electricity is alwayslooking for the easiest path to
ground when you exit thevehicle or machinery and touch
the ground, you can besubjected to risk of injury,
simply trying to move away fromthe grounding point.
Harrison Waters (05:38):
Great. Well, that's great information that
our listeners may not know. Uh,I could see how someone's first
in sync would be to get awayfrom the situation instead of
staying inside of the vehicleor machinery. Uh, are there any
general rules of thumb duringplanting season specifically
for farmers about how they canavoid contacting electrical
(05:59):
equipment?
Melanie Edding (06:00):
Yes. Always remember the 10 foot rule. This
should be observed as a 360degree rule. Always look below
to the sides and above thepower lines. You know, farming
equipment has become moremassive over time . Taller
equipment and longer extensionscan bring added challenges to
maneuvering around our powerlines. Always lower extensions
(06:23):
to the lowest setting whenmoving equipment. And again,
consider using a spotter whenyou are near power lines.
Perfect.
Harrison Waters (06:31):
All right , let's take a short break and
when we come back, Melanie willshare more farm planting safety
tips .
Speaker 4 (06:53):
Spring is a busy time on the farm. Don't
overlook safety in the rush.
Dozens of farm workers arekilled by electrocution each
year. When farm machines makecontact with overhead power
lines, take note of electricallines. When moving farm
equipment, make sure everyonewho works on the farm knows the
location of power lines andkeeps farm equipment at least
(07:14):
10 feet away, working to keepyou safe. Discover the value of
your co-op membership. Visitmembers first dot co-op today.
Speaker 5 (07:27):
Even though covid 19 is still a threat, your
touchstone energy cooperativeis as committed as ever to
keeping the power on so you cando your job. By staying home
and staying safe, disinfecthigh touch surfaces frequently
and check in on your neighborsand loved ones. Often you've
got the power to make adifference and you can count on
(07:48):
us to be here for you every day.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
Discover the value of your co-op membership. Visit
members first dot co-op today,
Harrison Waters (08:04):
Energy efficiency tip number 27,
verify livestock Water tankheaters are off when not
needed, and we're back with thePower for Your Life Podcast.
(08:39):
Visiting today with MelanieEdding from Consolidated
Electric Cooperative in Mexico,Missouri. Now, Melanie, you've
explained how farmers caneducate themselves about
electrical safety on the farmand what to do if equipment
encounters a power line. So howdoes a member know who to
contact when there's anelectrical issue or accident?
Melanie Edding (09:00):
Well, if there's an accident, it's
important to always call 9 1 1first. If you notice low
hanging wires or broken guywires or poles or equipment
that needs attention, then youshould call your utility
provider to report that issue.
If you have a general electricproblem such as no power in a
barn, you may need to call anelectrician. Always remember to
(09:23):
call 8 1 1 before digging. Ifthe problem lies below ground ,
this is a national number andthey will send a professional
locator to Mark undergroundservices, which will allow you
to work safely.
Harrison Waters (09:36):
Great. Well, that's valuable information
that , uh, should be shared toall farmers and those who work
on farms. What do youpersonally think is one of the
best ways for farmers to staysafe during spring planting
season?
Melanie Edding (09:48):
I think one of the most important ways to stay
safe is to keep a clear mind.
It's easy to get caught up inthe thoughts of what needs to
be done next in order to have asuccessful planning season, but
try to stay focused on thetasks at hand. Always keeping
safety in mind by being awareof your surroundings. Try to
take short breaks throughoutthe day, eat regularly, pack
(10:10):
nutritious snacks, and drinkplenty of fluids, and that
should help keep your body inmind in its best shape to get
your job done safely.
Harrison Waters (10:17):
I agree with you. That is one of the best
ways for farmers to ensuresafety this spring planting
season. Melanie, you have givenour listeners a lot of great
information to stay safe fromall things electric and power
on the farm. Even though wehave focused primarily on
spring planting safety, many ofthese tips can be applied
anytime work is being donearound the farm. Where can
(10:39):
listeners go to find moreinformation and safety tips if
they maybe want to dig a littlebit deeper?
Melanie Edding (10:44):
Well, they're always welcome to call their
local electric cooperative tospeak with the member services
or an energy servicesrepresentative if they prefer
online information. We havesome excellent resources
available on our members firstwebsite at members first dot
co-op and the safe electricitywebsite@safeelectricity.org.
Harrison Waters (11:05):
Perfect. Thank you, Melanie, so much. This has
been wonderful, and thanks forjoining me today.
Melanie Edding (11:10):
Well, you're welcome, Harrison. I really
appreciate the opportunity totalk with you and to share some
tips about farm plantingsafety.
Harrison Waters (11:17):
Absolutely, and I hope all farmers and farm
workers can use these safetytips throughout their spring
planting season. And if you'renot a farmer, please share this
with a farmer you know, andthank them for their time and
their sacrifice. I know allelectric cooperative staff have
gratitude and we are hoping fora safe and prosperous spring
planting season for farmers andour co-op country.
Speaker 4 (11:39):
Thanks for listening to the Power for Your Life
Podcast. To learn more aboutthis topic and other safety
efficiency and energytechnology information, contact
your local electriccooperative, or visit us on the
web at members first dot co-op.
You can also follow us onsocial media at
(12:02):
facebook.com/members firstcooperatives
pinterest.com/members first orinstagram.com/members. First ,
if you have a question or topicyou would like us to consider
for an upcoming episode, emailus at members first , a eci.org
(12:24):
.
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