Use care when working with electricity
By Mike Klimenko
Farm Bureau Group Manager
As farmers and ranchers take their work indoors during these chilly
winter months, they frequently find themselves working more with
electricity as they maintain and repair their equipment for another
growing season.
Electricity is the most widely utilized form of energy on the farm,
providing a steady and reliable power source to assist us in our tasks.
But along with this use comes some potential dangers. Electrocution is
the greatest hazard associated with electricity. A person's inability to
let go and detach oneself from the source of electricity may result in
receiving a near-fatal or even fatal shock if the source of electricity
is not shut down or removed.
Burns are the most common injuries associated with electricity. They are
particularly bad because they often extend quite deep into the tissues
of the body. Frequently these accidents occur in situation where
equipment is allowed to deteriorate, resulting in broken outlets,
cracked cables, improperly grounded tools and other such preventable
situations. Careful inspections of equipment and wiring are wise
preventative practices.
Water and electricity can be a fatal combination. Damp areas and metal
objects can offer good shortcuts for electricity to reach the ground. In
wet, winter months, extra caution should be observed when working with
electrical equipment or when working near grounded objects.
Here are some other important tips for working with and around
electricity.
* Treat every electric wire as if it were a live one.
* Inspect equipment and extension cords before each use.
* Take faulty equipment or plugs with bent or missing prongs out
of service for repair.
* Only qualified electricians should repair electrical equipment
or work on energized lines.
* If a plug doesn't have three prongs or if the receptacle doesn't
have three openings, make sure the tool is grounded in some other way
before use.
* Never try to bypass an electrical system by cutting off the
third prong of a plug.
* Turn off the power and report the smell of hot or burning
plastic, smoke, sparks or flickering lights.
* Stop using a tool or appliance if a slight shock or tingling is
felt.
* Never disconnect an electrical plug by pulling on the cord.
* Whenever working on an electric circuit, the circuit should be
turned off and locked out at the circuit breaker or fuse box to ensure
that the circuit cannot be accidentally turned on.
* Those who regularly work on or around energized electrical
equipment should be trained in emergency response and CPR.
Training can instill in everyone the importance of using common sense
and an understanding of safe practices. Take the time to determine what
needs to be done to ensure that everyone is safe from electrical
hazards. And then follow through.
Since 1943, Farm Bureau and State Fund have been business partners. When
your policy comes up for renewal, if you are not insured with State
Fund, please be sure to get a quote in our Farm Bureau Group Program.
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