Month: April 2025

Grain entrapments, while not all that common in South Carolina, are still an utmost concern for Fire and Rescue Teams across the state. Throughout the state, South Carolina sees roughly 3 grain entrapments a year. As preventative measures, many departments throughout the state have begun to receive training on how to safely rescue an entrapped victim. During these trainings, fire and rescue personnel explore the causes of entrapments and engulfments, learn entrapment and engulfment prevention strategies, receive an overview of various rescue equipment, and receive hands-on training on the proper procedures necessary to safely rescue an entrapped victim.

As part of these trainings, departments get the opportunity to become familiar with the equipment necessary to complete a rescue. Such equipment includes, but is not limited to, the Great Wall of Rescue, the Turtle Tube Rescue Sleeve, and the GSI Res-Q-Tube.

As a means to decrease the time required to rescue an entrapped victim, a comprehensive list and map have been created of the equipment type and location of the rescue devices.

https://arcg.is/4jHy51

2/13/2025: Ohio’s first human case of bird flu in 2025 reported in our area

2/10/2025: Churchill County dairy farm worker tests positive for new strain of bird flu

2/8/2025: Former GA representative recovering after being injured due to a farm accident

2/6/2025: Missing Jefferson Co. man found dead in family farm pond, JCSO says

1/31/2025: Ashton Man Taken To Hospital After Pickup Vs. Farm Tractor Accident

1/29/2025: Man stuck inside Dillon County grain bin rescued, sheriff says

1/24/2025: OCSO: 72-year-old man dead after being pinned under ATV in Oklahoma County pond

Questions

1. What type of fire extinguisher should you use on an electrical fire?
2. Who should you call before digging?
3. If you are in a tractor that comes in contact with a powerline, what should you do?
4. True or False: If someone is being electrocuted, you should immediately grab them and pull them off the sources of electrocution. 
5. True or False: A GFCI should be placed at the end of your circuit. 

Answers

1. Class C Fire Extinguisher
2. 811
3. Stay on the tractor and call for help. If a fire breaks out, jump from the tractor without touching the tractor and ground at the same time and then bunny hop away from the tractor to safety.
4. False
5. False

Electricity is a vital part of all farming operations, just like it is a vital part of our homes. Farms utilize electricity to power irrigation, heating, lighting, and much much more! While electricity is vital to the functionality of farming, it is still very dangerous and can result in electrocution, fires, and damage to personal property. Awareness of the hazards of electricity can drastically reduce the risk of an accident. 

Common Electrical Hazards in Agriculture

• Overhead Powerlines
  • Machinery, portable augers, and sprayers can come in contact with overhead powerlines, energizing the equipment and the ground if the powerline falls.
  • Step Potential:
  • 
  • 
• Underground Lines
  • Before every digging, always call 811 to mark underground lines.
  • This practice will help reduce the risk of damaging property and the risk of electrocution.
• Wet and Damp Areas
  • When running electicity in wet or damp areas, always use Type NMC wiring. This wiring does not have paper insulators inside and reduces the potential for corrosion.
  • Always use GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interupters) when wiring in damp/wet locations. GFCIs work by closing a circuit when a voltage drop is detected by the current taking an alternative path.
    • GFCIs should always be placed at the beginning of the circuit to ensure the whole circuit is being protected.
  • All wiring should be ran in conduit. PVC conduit is preferred over metal because it will not corred in wet/damp areas.
• Improper Use of Extension Cords
  • Extension cords should never be used in wet areas.
  • Never try to repair a damaged extension cord that has been cut or the plug removed. The extension cord should be immediately thrown away.
  • Never use extension cords near sharp objects, heat, oil, or any other solvents that could damage the insulation around the cord.
  • Never overload an extension cord, this can cause the extension cord to heat up and damage the cord its self, along with the potential of starting a fire.

Safe Practices for Working Around Agriculture

• Disengage power before working on electrical components on equipment or working on circuits.
• Use Lockout/Tagout kits to ensure that power cannot be restored to equipment or circuits while you are working on them.
• Make sure you have on the proper PPE before working around electricity.
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Rubber Boots
  • Safety Glasses

Emergency Reponse to an Electrical Incident

• If someone is electrocuted:
  • Call 911 immediately
  • Turn off power – never touch the person till power has been disengaged. If the power is still on the current will flow from them to you!
  • Using a non-conductive object, such as wood or rubber, move the person away from the source of electrocution.
• Electrical fire:
  • Use a Class C fire extinguisher to put the fire out – never use water!!!
  • Disengage power.
  • Call 911 and evacuate the area.