DTE Energy Offers Farm Safety Tips
29 April 2008 - 6:34AM
PR Newswire (US)
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." DATASOURCE: DTE Energy CONTACT:
Eileen Dixon, +1-313-235-9154; or Lorie Kessler, +1-313-235-8807,
both of DTE Energy Web site: http://www.dteenergy.com/
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