Solutions for Dealing with Electrical Hazards
Sponsored Content: Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
Funded by Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
For those of us who spend their days - and likely some of their nights – at work in the barn, it’s easy to identify where there is the most potential for electrical safety hazards. It could be an extension cord partially submerged in a puddle, a frayed power cord on a tool or a wall receptacle overburdened with outlet adapters.
But what about what we can’t see? Lurking behind those wall receptacles and above the light fixtures are metres and metres of electrical copper wiring interacting with the atmosphere, not to mention gnawing rodents.
Keep Ventilation Systems On
“Barns are very corrosive environments. Hydrogen sulfide and ammonia in the air generated by manure causes accelerated corrosion of copper wiring and contact points.”
—John Van de Vegte, Engineering Specialist with the Environmental Management Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs John adds, “Keep the ventilation system on at all times. Second, make sure you use electrical components rated for use in corrosive and wet environments. Look for a NEMA4X rating.”
Methane levels can increase to explosive levels very quickly in enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation, especially in farms with underfloor liquid manure storage.
Another hazard we may not see is high above us and in plain sight. Exposed overhead wires take their toll on farmers year after year. It could be someone pushing an extended grain auger to cause electrocution. While we may feel we’re diligent about our approach to moving tall objects around our operations, things can change that create new hazards.
An example is the purchase of a new spray boom that extends higher than our existing equipment. At the beginning of the season we may not have incorporated transportation of this equipment into employee training.
Solutions for Dealing with Electrical Hazards
Fortunately there are numerous solutions to ensure electrical hazards are dealt within a productive and timely manner.
- Thorough inspections. An inspection of the barn electrical system by a licensed electrician on a regular basis is good practice.
- Thermal infrared cameras. Thermal imaging infrared cameras are also very effective. They will detect abnormal heat in your electrical system, a sign that something is overloaded and unsafe. They can also be used to evaluate bearings on a machine, wiring hidden behind walls and other hazardous situations.
- Proper wiring. If new wiring is needed, it should be installed in plastic conduit and be accessible for inspection and maintenance. For overhead wiring, the best solution is to have the wiring buried and completely eliminate the overhead hazard. In this case, be sure to have a map of where the underground wiring is located in the event that digging is to be done.
For free online resources relating to farm electrical safety, visit: https://engage.wsps.ca/ag-electrical-safety-2022
The Project is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The views expressed in this publication are the views of WSPS and do not necessarily reflect those of the Province.