Contact with electricity can be dangerous, even fatal. Read on to learn more about some electrical contact accidents that we've heard of and how to prevent them from happening to you and others.

Safety alert for contractors 
A 20-year-old highway construction worker holding a guardrail attached to a crane’s boom was electrocuted when the boom contacted a 7,200-volt overhead power line. Emergency treatment at the scene was unable to revive the victim, and he died after being removed from the scene. You can avoid this situation. Remember to always:

• locate overhead power lines before beginning work
• follow the Circle of Safety (it's the law)
• have lines located before you dig
• position equipment carefully
• use a safety watch

Get more information on this accident and how to prevent this from happening.

Safety alert for farmers and ranchers
The following incidents could have caused life-altering injuries or even death. Each one could have been prevented.

• While attempting to shake a rat from inside an irrigation pipe, two teenage boys upended the pipe into a 7,200-volt overhead power line, knocking both unconscious and causing one to suffer burn injuries. 
• While attempting to shake leaves from inside an irrigation pipe, a husband and wife lifted a pipe into a 7,200-volt overhead power line. The electricity grounded through the pipe and then their bodies and caused burn injuries.
• Using a backhoe, a farmer attempted to relocate a utility pole and attached power transformer. The attempt failed and disconnected electrical power. The farmer then used a metal ladder to climb the utility the utility pole and attempted to open the electrical fuse. He was severely shocked and fell 20 feet to the ground.

You can avoid these situations. The most important thing you can do is know the location of all power lines on or near your farm or ranch, and point them out to anyone who helps with farm or ranch activities such as employees, temporary workers and family members, including children. Also, never lift long or tall items such as irrigation pipes or move grain augers in the raised position near overhead power lines. Learn more about how to stay safe and help prevent accidents.