By Angie Johnson
As North Dakota producers work to get crops out of the field, North Dakota State University Extension and Minnkota Power Cooperative remind farmers to watch for overhead power lines and poles when operating combines, grain carts and other large farm machinery.
“Harvest is a busy time, and large equipment can make it difficult to see just how close you are to a power line,” says Angie Johnson, NDSU Extension farm and ranch safety specialist.
A moment of inattention around electrical infrastructure can have deadly consequences.
“As farm equipment grows larger and automation becomes more common, the risk of contacting overhead power lines, poles and guy wires increases,” says Johnson.
Public transmission line incidents in Minnkota’s service region have more than doubled in five years, according to the cooperative.
Kaylee Cusack, senior communication strategist for Minnkota Power Cooperative, has partnered with NDSU Extension to promote and educate about power line safety.
Source : ndsu.edu