12-14 FB Electrocution

 The statistics say about 60 farm workers will be electrocuted by accident this year. Most of them will be handling equipment - anything from a long ladder to a grain auger. The point of contact - according to Extension Farm Safety Specialist Bob Aherin - is normally an overhead powerline. “Many types of farm equipment can come in contact with overhead power lines. Tractors with front-end loaders, portable grain augers, fold-up cultivators and equipment with antennas easily can become an electrical hazard and must be operated with care. When contact is made the operator sometimes safely gets off the machine. This can only happen if the overhead line is dead or the operator doesn’t touch the machine and the ground when exiting. Sometimes they make the mistake of feeling safe and return to the machine. It’s a deadly mistake if the overhead powerline is live.”