DTE Energy Offers Farm Safety Tips

DETROIT, April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- As another Michigan planting season gets under way, DTE Energy reminds customers to watch for power lines overhead and utility lines underground when working near the house or out in the field.

Staying safe around power lines

"Operating large farm equipment near electrical lines and poles requires extra care," said Vince Dow, DTE Energy vice president of Distribution Operations.  "When using elevated truck beds, raised conveyors and other large folding farm implements, it's essential to stop and survey the area to be sure of all clearances, even if you are familiar with the area."

Customers can be safe around electric lines and equipment by following these safety tips:

-  Before tilling and planting a field, survey the area.  Look for potential electrical safety hazards and plan how you will avoid them.

-  Be aware of the clearance your equipment needs when truck beds are elevated or planting and tillage arms are fully extended or raised.

-  Keep all equipment at least 20 feet away from overhead power lines and guy wires (wires that support poles) at all times.  Give utility poles a wide clearance as well.

-  Report any activity that might have damaged or undermined the stability of a utility pole.  This ensures that inspections will be made and any damage repaired to prevent power lines from falling later.

-  If your farm equipment has become entangled in a power line, remain inside the equipment.  Try to drive the equipment away from the line if you can do so safely.  If you cannot, stay where you are and wait for help.  Call or signal for someone to call 911 and Detroit Edison — warn others to stand well away.  

-  Never touch a downed power line or anything it is in contact with — even if there are no sparks.  A live wire may whip or sweep through a wide area.  A live wire may also lie silent but be equally deadly.

To report equipment entangled in a power line, potential damage to a utility pole and any downed wire call DTE Energy at (800) 477-4747.

Locating underground lines before digging

DTE Energy also reminds customers to avoid digging accidents by calling MISS DIG to locate underground utility lines.  MISS DIG is a statewide, one-call center for construction safety and utility damage prevention.  Customers can reach MISS DIG toll-free by calling 811 or (800) 482-7171.  MISS DIG will contact the local utilities where the work is to be performed.  Within three days, the utilities will use staking flags and/or paint to mark the approximate location of underground gas, electric, telephone, water, sewer and storm lines and drains.

"Digging accidents that damage utility lines can cause service disruptions, financial penalties, injury and even death," said Dow.  "Making one quick toll-free call to MISS DIG is an easy way to prevent serious problems."

SOURCE Detroit Edison