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Electrical Shock Response

Electricity is a hidden farm hazard. A person who has been shocked may still be in danger and so may anyone who tries to help. This guide explains why you call 911 and wait for trained help.

Where does electrical risk come from on a farm?

Farms have overhead power lines, buried lines, wiring in barns and shops, pumps, extension cords, welders, grain handling equipment and portable tools. Wet conditions, damaged cords, animals and tall equipment can all raise the risk. A line or equipment may still be energized even when it appears dead.

This article does not provide rescue or first aid steps for electrical injuries. Those belong to trained responders, the electric utility and hands-on training.

Storms add risk. Downed lines, flooded buildings and wet equipment can all be energized. After severe weather, stay away from fallen lines and report them to the utility, and check the National Weather Service for local warnings.

What should you do first?

Call 911 and, if a power line is involved, contact your electric utility as well. Give your exact address and say that electricity is involved. Keep everyone away from the area, including from equipment and anything that may be touching a line.

Do not touch the person or anything in contact with them until you have been told it is safe. Electricity can pass to rescuers. Wait for trained responders and the utility, and follow the dispatcher's instructions.

Children are curious about cords, outlets and power equipment. Keep outlets covered where needed, store cords safely and teach children to stay away from lines, transformers and pump houses.

• Call 911 and the utility.
• Keep people back.
• Do not touch the person or equipment.
• Follow the dispatcher.

What about a power line on equipment or a vehicle?

If equipment touches a line, staying put is often the safest choice until the utility confirms the power is off, though the right action depends on the situation, such as a fire. The utility, your equipment manual and official guidance from OSHA and extension programs explain this in detail.

Do not rely on memory. Learn this ahead of time and make sure every operator knows it, including seasonal workers.

Hired and seasonal workers may not know where lines run. Include electrical hazards in every new worker briefing, and mark known hazards on the farm map.

Why must even apparently minor shocks be checked?

Electrical injury can cause internal damage that does not show on the skin. Anyone who has been shocked should be seen by a medical professional, even if they feel fine. Tell them what happened and how.

Burns and other injuries may also be present. Your clinician is the right person to guide follow-up.

Animals can also be at risk from stray voltage or damaged wiring. If livestock behave unusually near water or metal, call a qualified electrician or your utility rather than investigating yourself.

How can you prepare ahead of time?

Map overhead and buried lines on your property and share the map with everyone. Know the location of main shutoffs. Keep your electric utility's number with your emergency contacts. Take first aid training and ask your fire department and utility about electrical safety sessions.

Plan routes for tall equipment and train operators to look up before raising augers, antennas, loaders and irrigation pipes.

After any incident, an electrician should check the equipment before it is used again.

• Map lines and shutoffs.
• Post utility numbers.
• Train operators to look up.
• Take recognized training.

How can electrical injuries be prevented?

Have a qualified electrician inspect and maintain wiring, panels and outlets, and repair damaged cords and equipment promptly. Use ground fault protection where required by your local codes and electricians. Keep electrical equipment dry and out of reach of animals and children. Follow local electrical codes, which differ by area.

Keep a safe distance from power lines and plan work around them. Distances and rules come from your utility, OSHA and local authorities, so ask them for the correct information.

Never use electrical equipment that is damaged or that you do not know how to use properly.

Where can you learn more?

OSHA and NIOSH publish electrical safety information for agriculture. Your electric utility and local fire department can offer farm-specific advice. NFPA also publishes safety resources.

Keep a clear, written list of the equipment that runs on electricity and where each disconnect is, so that qualified people can shut things down quickly once they are told it is safe.

Ask your electric utility whether it offers safety demonstrations for farm groups, school programs or 4-H and FFA clubs. Many utilities do, and the programs are usually free or low cost, though availability varies.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.