Electrical Safety

Richland Electric Cooperative reminds you to be safe around electricity. Electricity brings convenience to our lives. However, it can also cause injury or death if not treated with care and respect. When working or playing outside, always be aware of power lines, both overhead and underground. Indoors, make sure your electric fixtures are properly grounded and cords are in good condition. There are many good sources regarding electrical safety available on the Internet. Some we recommend you visit include www.safeelectricity.org, www.nsc.org, www.electrical-safety.org, and www.fplsafetyworld.com.

Here are some electrical safety tips for the farm.

Research shows (and every farmer knows) that farming is a hazardous occupation. These hazards include electric shock, which can cause farm worker fatalities. Many farm workers have been seriously injured as a result of contacting power lines while moving or installing augers or lifting grain probes, irrigation pipe or well pipe.

With the widespread use of electricity on today's farming operations, we believe you should be aware of the potential dangers involved in using it. The electrical system on your farm, just like other equipment, must be installed and maintained so that it will operate safely. For your safety and that of others, we recommend that all electrical work be completed only by qualified electricians who meet state and local licensing and/or certification requirements.

Look around your farm and take note of the location of all overhead power lines. Also make sure you know where underground power lines are buried. Review your farm activities and work practices near these lines. Remember: If you contact a power line, a serious or fatal accident could occur.

Watch out for overhead power wires whenever you operate portable augers, movable conveyors or any other farm equipment! Be particularly careful when working near overhead and underground electrical power lines. If you have any questions regarding electrical safety, please call 608-647-3173.

Here are some electrical safety tips when you are outdoors.

  • Never touch an electrical power line that has fallen. Remember, you can't tell by looking at a power line if it is energized or not so treat all power lines as though they are energized and leave it alone. Call the professionals at your electric cooperative to safely take care of any problems you see.
  • Never cut a tree that is near a power line. Instead, call the cooperative so we can make arrangements for it to be cut safely by our crews or contractors.
  • Never fly kites or tethered model airplanes near power lines.
  • Look up and live! Make sure to look for power lines when moving farm machinery and large equipment around your farm or business. Metal elevators, metal irrigation pipes, well-digging equipment and metal ladders are some of the items that are very dangerous when used near power lines and they may cause severe injury or death if they make contact.
  • Never climb on electric utility structures or reach into electric utility enclosures.
  • Power substations are strictly off-limits!
  • Do not use electrical tools or appliances in a wet environment or outdoors, if it is raining.
  • Use Ground Fault Interrupters for receptacles near water sources in bathrooms and kitchens, outdoors, in garages and in unfinished basements.
  • Only moisture resistant appliance cords should be used outdoors.
  • Electrical outlets for outdoor use should be weatherproofed.
  • Power tools require heavy-duty electrical cords.
  • Disconnect cords from outlets by pulling the plug, not the cord.

Here are some electrical safety tips for inside.

  • Electrical safety begins with proper wiring. Wiring should be installed and checked by a qualified electrician. A minimum of a 200-amp service is recommended for a home.
  • Make sure that each family member knows the location of the main fuse or circuit breaker in the home and understands how to operate it in case of an emergency.
  • If a fuse blows, only replace it with another fuse of the proper size. Never insert a penny behind a fuse or try to bypass it in anyway. To do so is very unsafe.
  • Major electrical appliances should have their own circuits.
  • Never use a hair dryer, electric shaver, or curling iron while in the bathtub. Never place electrical appliances, radios, or televisions where they could fall into your bath water.
  • Check cords and plugs for wear. Never place cords under carpets. Don't overload any outlet.
  • Never install a bulb with a higher wattage than the fixture rating.
  • Install safety caps in outlet receptacles to prevent children from sticking objects in them