Fall harvest season has arrived. While we share the road with large farm vehicles and equipment, keep the below safety reminders in mind while behind the wheel.

Sharing the road:

• Farming vehicles and equipment need additional space and often drive slower than normal traffic. Farm machinery have slow-moving vehicle signs, typically orange or red triangular signs, placed on the back of the equipment.
• Be prepared to slow down or stop to avoid a rear-end crash or hitting a farm vehicle turning into a field. Leave at least 50 feet between you and the farm equipment.
• Before passing farm machinery, determine if the road is wide enough to share and look for mailboxes, bridges or road signs that could cause the machinery to move to the center of the road.
• Be patient. Sometimes farm equipment drivers can’t move to let you pass as the shoulder or road may not be wide enough.

During harvest time, farmers should be aware of power lines and other electrical equipment near their fields. Please keep these safety tips in mind as you work. 

Electrical Safety for Farmers:

• Always stay at least 30 feet away from power lines. This includes yourself and any equipment in use.
• Be cautious when raising augers or the bed of a truck. Sometimes a power line is closer than it appears, and it can be hard to determine distance. Please have someone spotting while using equipment.
• Be cautious using ladders, poles and rods near power lines. Keep in mind tree limbs, tires, ropes and hay can conduct electricity if it encounters a power line.
• If you are driving farm machinery that contacts a power line, do not exit the equipment. Wait until I&M has arrived to confirm it’s safe to exit the vehicle.
• If you must leave, avoid contact with the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Exit by jumping from your vehicle and landing with both feet together. Shuffle away from the vehicle, keeping both feet in contact with each other, until you are at least 100 feet away from the scene. Do not run.

Keeping our customers and community safe is a top priority. From storm safety to staying safe around power lines, find a full list of tips and information at https://www.indianamichiganpower.com/safety/.