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September 1, 2025 |

Look Up and Live: Your Safety Depends on It This Harvest Season

National Farm Safety and Health Week is observed from September 21 to 27. As Iowa farmers prepare for another busy harvest season, we want to remind everyone about a critical safety message that could save your life: Look Up and Live. Every year, agricultural accidents involving electrical infrastructure pose a serious risk to farmers and their families. With corn and soybean harvests in full swing across our cooperative's service territory, now is the perfect time to review essential electrical safety practices.

Before entering any field, take a moment to survey your surroundings. Look for overhead powerlines, guy wires, and electrical equipment that may pose hazards to your operations. Modern agricultural equipment continues to grow taller and wider, making contact with electrical infrastructure an increasing concern. Grain augers, combines, and other machinery can easily reach heights that bring them dangerously close to power lines.

Maintain a minimum clearance of 10 feet from all overhead lines when operating equipment. This includes not just the equipment itself, but also any attachments, booms, or raised components. Remember that power lines can sag, especially during hot weather or when heavily loaded. What appears to be adequate clearance in the morning may become dangerous by afternoon.

Plan your routes carefully, taking into account the location of electrical infrastructure. When moving equipment between fields, scout the path ahead of time and identify potential hazards. Contact our cooperative if you need assistance identifying electrical hazards or if vegetation near powerlines needs attention.

Your family depends on you returning home safely each day. This harvest season, make "Look Up and Live" your constant reminder to stay alert and stay safe around electrical infrastructure.