Farmers’ Electric Cooperative Harvest Season - Avoid Electrical and Other Hazards General Manager Lance Adkins Clovis Office 3701 Thornton Clovis, NM 88102 575-762-4466 Ft. Sumner Office 618 East Sumner Ft. Sumner, NM 88119 575-355-2291 Santa Rosa Office 1169 Historic Route 66 Santa Rosa, NM 88435 575-472-3971 Toll-Free 800-445-8541 Website www.fecnm.org Office Hours 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (M-F) “Owned By Those We Serve” Board of Trustees President Michael B. West Fort Sumner, District 3 Vice President George Dodge, Jr. Santa Rosa, District 4 Secretary-Treasurer Donnie Bidegain San Jon/Logan, District 7 Vacant Tucumcari-Ragland, District 5 Ernest Riley Melrose, District 2 Justin Barnes Clovis, District 1 John Pat Woods Broadview/Grady, District 6 Board Meeting The Board of Trustees meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m. in the Clovis Cooperative boardroom.
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he rush to harvest can result in agricultural workers and farmers working extra-long days with little sleep, which can impair judgment and allow them to forget necessary precautions. Power lines can pose a major hazard for farmers. Before working in a field or around shops or grain bins, always take the time to note the locations of power lines so that you can make sure to remain a safe distance from them. To stay safe around overhead power line, we urge farm operators and workers to: • Always use a spotter when operating large machinery near power lines. • Use care when raising augers or the beds of grain trucks around power lines. • Keep equipment at least 10 feet from lines—at all times, in all directions. • Inspect the height of farm equipment to determine clearance. • Always remember to lower extensions to the lowest setting when moving loads. • Never attempt to move a power line out of the way or raise it for clearance. • If a power line is sagging or low, call Farmers’ Electric immediately. • If contact is made with a power line, remember that it is almost always safest to stay on the equipment. Also, make sure to warn others to stay away and call Farmers’ Electric and 911 immediately. The only reason to exit is if the equipment is on fire. If this is the case, jump off the equipment with your feet together, avoiding touching the ground and vehicle at the same time. Then, still keeping your feet together, “bunny hop” away. If you see someone’s equipment in contact with a power line, the best help you can give is from a safe distance away. Make sure to yell out to, signal to, or call the equipment operator to make sure they remain in vehicle until it is safe to exit. Remember, notify the cooperative immediately. Here are a few harvest safety thoughts that don’t involve power lines: • Be organized—Maintain equipment and have all owner and operator manuals on-hand. Have an electric check of facility including wiring and electrical boxes. Provide proper safety training for employees and family. Before each task, do a safety walk-through making sure any potential hazards are taken care of and procedures and equipment are in place in case an incident occurs such as first aid kits and fire extinguishers. • Focus on efficiency—Be sure grain-receiving equipment, bin aeration, and the grain dryers are clean and in good working order. • Know your crop—Keep in mind both quantity and quality, stay in touch with local grain elevators for grain-marketing opportunities. Be smart when drying your and when entering a grain bin. Properly care for combines and be aware of other farm equipment around you. Know your field and alert others of any potential hazards such as erosion or washouts. • Use caution with farm vehicles on public roads—Display the “Slow Moving Vehicle” (SMV) emblem on all off-road vehicles. Use proper vehicle lighting and flashers. Also, don’t forget to check all hitches. Understand and comply with law regarding headlights, taillights, and reflectors.
16 August 2020 • enchantment.coop
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