Alliant Energy reminds customers and all farmers to pay extra attention to utility equipment while using farm machinery.
Every fall, tractors, combines, augers, tillage equipment, tiling machines and other related equipment are at high risk to hit power poles, guy wires connected to poles, overhead or underground electric lines and natural gas pipelines or equipment.
“We know everyone is busy getting the crops harvested or the fields tilled. We want to remind people to stay safe by taking an extra second to look for utility lines,” said Kent Sodawasser, lead safety specialist. “To be safe, machinery needs to stay at least 10 feet away from power lines.”
Alliant Energy asks customers to call 1-800-ALLIANT or their local utility if they come into contact with any piece of electrical or natural gas equipment. If the scene is dangerous or natural gas is blowing, call 9-1-1.
This safety checklist is for agricultural customers working around electricity or natural gas:
- Familiarize yourself with the location of all overhead and underground utility equipment, such as electric and natural gas meters, transformers and pipeline markers.
- If you are in a vehicle or piece of machinery that contacts a power line, stay in the vehicle until emergency personnel tells you it is safe to get out. If there is an immediate danger of a fire, jump out and land with both feet together. Never touch the equipment and the ground at the same time. Shuffle away from the equipment without raising your feet.
- Call 8-1-1 at least three business days before you do any digging, deep chisel plowing or tiling. Utility companies will locate their buried lines where you plan to work, for free. Respect the marks and then dig carefully.
