In addition to being one of the most labor-intensive professions, farming is also considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S. The hard work and exhaustive labor are tough but rushing the job to save time can be extremely dangerous––even deadly––when farming near electrical equipment.

Every year, North Western Electric Cooperative sees collisions where tractors and other farming equipment accidentally collide with utility poles and power lines, causing injuries and power outages. These dangerous accidents can be avoided by looking up and around your surroundings when operating large farm machinery. If you’re preparing for harvest season, please keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Maintain a 10-foot clearance around all utility equipment in all directions.
• Use a spotter and deployed flags to maintain safe distances from power lines and other electrical equipment when working in the field.
• If your equipment makes contact with an energized or downed power line, DO NOT TOUCH THE LINES. Assume all downed lines are energized and dangerous. Stay away and contact 9-1-1 immediately. Remain inside the vehicle until the power line is de-energized.
• If you must exit your vehicle due to smoke or fire, exit the cab by making a solid jump out of the cab (without touching it), and hop away with both feet together or shuffle to safety.
• Consider equipment and cargo extensions of your vehicle. Lumber, hay, tree limbs, irrigation pipes and even bulk materials can conduct electricity, so keep them out of contact with electrical equipment.

For a step by step tutorial on how to exit a vehicle that’s made contact with power lines, check out the PSA video below originally for EMS personnel. The same applies for tractors.