While the agricultural works were being performed, the mechanic knocked down 35 kV electrical transmission tower “Spur line Kurchanskaya” in Primorsko-Akhtarsk district of Kuban. By a happy coincidence there were no casualties. Specialists in energetics remind the agricultural producers and heavy equipment drivers of the need to strictly observe the safety regulations in protective zones of transmission lines and close to power facilities.

During performance of agricultural works, it is not uncommon for overhead transmission lines failure when the harvesters, tractors and other agricultural equipment are operated. They can include injuries and fatality incidents.

It is unacceptable to have approach to the electricity transmission lines with a voltage less than 1 kV – closer than 2 meters, from 1 to 20 kV - closer than 10 meters, 35 kV – closer than 15 meters, 110 kV – closer than 20 meters.

Rosseti Kuban specialists remind that it is strictly prohibited to carry out some works without consent of power grid operator. Traffic of vehicles and machinery having the common height of more than 4.5 meters above the road surface with cargo or without cargo is prohibited.

Moreover, in protective zones of transmission lines, it is prohibited to organize the parking places for all types of equipment, store or burn straw, harvested fields, other vegetation and agricultural crops irrigation in case the height of water jet is above three meters.

In cases when the vehicle touches wires of transmission lines, it is necessary to follow simple rules to minimize risk of being injured from an electrical accident. If the vehicle touches the wires of transmission lines, the driver must stop the vehicle.  If there has been a contact with the voltage bare cable, it is necessary to increase the distance between the vehicle and the wire as soon as possible. If it fails, it is important to make efforts to minimize risk of being injured from an electrical accident. It must be clear that under no circumstances should people inside vehicle touch the metal parts of it.

When such emergency occurs and if and when first measures necessary for security support to ensure, it is necessary to communicate with control engineer of electricity grids and also report about the incident to the Ministry of Emergency Situations in order to relieve dangerous operating stress in transmission lines.

Risk of combustion of rubber tires of wheels is increased a hundred-fold when a part of a large size wheeled transport touches the high-voltage electric transmission line. If ignition of rubber tires of wheels occurs, it is necessary to leave the transport vehicle for over 8 meters immediately. Evacuation shall be provided in a certain way: you should touch the ground with closed legs and it is important to keep a complete body balance in order to prevent accidental entrance to the step voltage area that may occur during ground current distribution. During evacuation under no circumstances should parts of your body touch the high voltage transport vehicle.

If the signs of tire ignition are absent, it’s better not to run a risk and not to leave the vehicle cab until removal of high-voltage from the damaged area of transmission lines. At the time of the rescuers are expected to arrive and remove the voltage, it is necessary to inform people of the present danger in the stress zone.

Remember: failure of wires and electrical transmission towers may result in electrical shock or even death!

In case of failure or breakage of overhead transmission lines, it is necessary to inform the control engineer of power distribution zones or by national free telephone hotline of Rosseti Kuban 8-800-100-15-52.