DTE Energy Offers Fall Harvest Safety Tips |
DETROIT, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- During the fall harvest season, DTE
Energy reminds farmers to be aware of overhead power lines and underground
utilities, whether working near the house or out in the field.
"It is essential to use extra care when operating large farm equipment
near electrical lines and poles, and underground utility cables and
pipelines," said Vince Dow, DTE Energy vice president of Distribution
Operations. "If you are using equipment like elevated truck beds, raised
conveyors or other large folding farm implements, it is critical to
remember to take the time to survey the area, even if you are familiar with
it, to be sure that it is free of potential hazards."
In addition to surveying the area for hazards, customers can avoid
accidents and injury by following these safety tips:
* Be aware of the clearance your equipment needs when truck beds are
elevated or harvester arms are fully extended or raised.
* Keep all equipment at least 20 feet away from overhead power lines, guy
wires and utility poles.
* Report any activity that might have damaged or undermined the stability
of a utility pole, including damaged guy wires or severe erosion.
* If your farm equipment has snagged an overhead power line, remain inside
the equipment. If possible, try to drive the equipment away from the
hazard. If you cannot drive it away, stay where you are and wait for
rescue. Call or signal for someone to call 911 and your local electric
company. Warn others to stay away.
* If you must get off the equipment because of fire or other danger,
remember that your body should NEVER contact the ground and the metal
equipment at the same time. Jump clear, then hop with feet together or
shuffle away. Voltage is highest near the equipment and decreases with
distance. Hopping with feet together or shuffling prevents your body
from becoming a conductor of electricity from a high to low voltage
area.
* Tires are not insulators. Although rubber is not a good conductor of
electricity, metal, which also is found in tires, is. If a power line
is in contact with your vehicle, electricity will travel through the
metal skin and tires into the ground. If you touch both the vehicle and
the ground at the same time, electricity will take the path of least
resistance and travel through your body to the ground.
* Never touch a downed power line or anything it is in contact with - even
if there are no sparks. A live wire may whip or sweep through a wide
area. A live wire also may lie still on the ground.
* To report equipment entangled in a power line, potential damage to a
utility pole or any downed wire, or damage to an underground utility
cable or pipe, DTE Energy customers should call (800) 477-4747.
* Always exercise caution when undertaking any task that requires digging.
Before beginning excavation projects like tiling, terracing or fence
post installation, call MISS DIG toll-free at 811 or (800) 484-7171 to
avoid damaging underground utility cables and pipes.
SOURCE DTE Energy
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CONTACT:
Eileen Dixon, +1-313-235-9154, or Lorie
Kessler, +1-313-235-8807, both of DTE Energy
