Safety Outdoors
Prevent contact with power lines when doing work or activities outside.
Using Tools and Equipment
Keep all tools and equipment (and yourself) at least 20 feet away from overhead power lines. In addition:
- Do not cut down, trim or climb trees near power lines. Contact our tree trimming team
- Always look up when carrying a ladder to ensure you don’t make contact with a power line. Use fiberglass or wooden ladders if available
- Keep power tools away from water. This includes rain, swimming pools, sprinklers and hoses
- Install waterproof covers and ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) on your outdoor outlets. These sockets provide shock protection in areas exposed to dampness and water
- Never run a generator indoors including partially enclosed spaces. Learn more about generator safety
Working Around Transformer Boxes
These green utility boxes provide electricity to homes and buildings. Always use caution and keep a safe distance away.
- Do not let children play on or near transformers
- Do not stick anything through cracks into the transformer box
- Do not dig without calling 1-800-DIG-SAFE in Kansas and 1-800-DIG-RITE in Missouri. Underground power lines can extend in any direction from a transformer
- Do not paint or decorate transformers. The metal is assigned a specific color (usually green) so we can easily identify them. Painting could impair the equipment or cover up warning signs
See a transformer that's unlocked or needs repair? Call us immediately at 888-544-4852 or report online.
Call Before You Dig
Call 1-800-DIG-SAFE in Kansas and 1-800-DIG-RITE in Missouri and have this information ready:
- Name, address and phone number (for both the company and the excavator)
- Date and time the excavation is scheduled to begin
- Specific location, type and depth of the excavation
- Other utilities that could be affected
Once lines are marked, you can dig safely. Remember to inform all affected utilities at least two working days before you begin. If underground facilities are damaged, dislocated or disturbed before or during excavation, notify us immediately.
Use Caution During Harvest Season
Large equipment can have blind spots, making it hard to see electrical hazards.
- Know where power lines, utility poles and guy wires are located on your property
- Stay at least 30 feet away from electric infrastructure
- Use a spotter to prevent blind spots
- Extra caution is needed when GPS AutoSteer systems are in use
- Develop an emergency communication plan that takes cell reception dead spots into account
Field Burning Safety
When working around power lines and burning fields, follow these guidelines to stay safe.
Video: Avoiding Ladder Accidents
