REMEMBER LOOK UP & LIVE
Always be aware of power lines and poles while operating machinery, especially when operating new or larger vehicles.
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG
Overhead power distribution lines carry electricity at 7,200 volts. Exposure to electricity at this level can cause extensive damage to machinery and can prove fatal to operators.
SPEAK UP, STAY SAFE
If you spot damaged poles or other electrical equipment, please contact our power control center at 701.356.4499 immediately.
CCEC is a not-for-profit, memberowned electric distribution system, serving over 55,000 members in a 10-county area in south-eastern ND.
S T AY I N T O U C H 4100 32nd Ave S Fargo, ND 58104 701.356.4400 800.248.3292 CassCountyElectric.com info@kwh.com
AGRICULTURE
SAFETY CCEC Mission: To serve our members’ energy needs with affordable and reliable electricity CCEC Core Values: Safety, Integrity, Innovation, Accountability, and Commitment to Community
CassCountyElectric.com
GRAIN BIN SAFETY
A G R I C U LT U R E
Farming is difficult and demanding and has been ranked as one of the most dangerous jobs. While you’re busy at work on the farm and in the field, we remind you to keep electrical safety in mind. Here are a few tips:
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Be aware of the heights of overhead power lines and the height of your machinery. There should be a 10-foot clearance between your equipment and any power line. Use a spotter to help you avoid contact with power lines, poles, and guy wires. If you acquire new machinery, always make sure it will still fit beneath any lines you work near.
It may be possible for overhead lines to be raised. If you would like to request this, contact Cass County Electric Cooperative. Never attempt to raise power lines on your own. Most routine farm operations do not require calling for underground utility locations, but procedures such as building waterways, setting posts, burying rock piles, or any excavations of 18 inches or more do require locates. Call 8-1-1 or visit NDonecall.com at least 48 hours ahead of the planned work.
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NOTE: Privately installed underground lines are not registered in the ND One Call database and are not accounted for by ND One Call locate services. You must call your electrician to locate any private lines buried on your property.
When conducting controlled burns, keep the burn well away from power poles. Flame can spread to a pole and burn it from the inside out, leaving little trace of extreme damage.
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If you do damage or witness damage to poles or other electrical equipment, please do the right thing and inform us so we can get it fixed. It could prevent future power outages and lifethreatening accidents.
National Electrical Safety Code requires an 18foot minimum vertical clearance from the highest point of the filling port of grain bins to nearby high-voltage wires and a 55-foot minimum distance from the power line to grain bin walls.
If you are in a vehicle and come into contact with a power line, stop and think! If you are able to drive away without damaging the line or poles, travel at least 40 feet away before exiting the vehicle. If you are unable to drive away, remain in the vehicle! Call for help and warn others to stay away. If you must exit because of fire or other safety reasons, jump clear of the vehicle. Do not let any part of your body or clothing contact the vehicle and the ground simultaneously. Land with your feet together and shuffle away in small steps to minimize the path of electrical current. Keep going until you are at least 40 feet away. Do not re-enter the area until emergency responders and the utility determine it is safe.
143’ MINIMUM 80’ MINIMUM
50’ HIGH BIN
55’ MINIMUM
18.5’
25’ HIGH BIN
15’ HIGH BIN
DANGER: HIGH VOLTAGE FOLLOW FARM SAFETY RULES AROUND POWER LINES
Height of grain storage structure
D=Minimum distance from line to bin wall*
15 ft.
55 ft.
20 ft.
68 ft.
25 ft.
80 ft.
30 ft.
93 ft.
35 ft.
104 ft.
40 ft.
118 ft.
50 ft.
143 ft.
60 ft.
168 ft.
70 ft.
193 ft.
80 ft.
218 ft.
D
18.5’
*Based on a typical power line having a vertical clearance of 18.5 feet above the ground and a supply line phase to ground voltage of more than 0V to 22KV; National Electrical Safety Code Rule 232