In its annual reminder to farmers across Saskatchewan, SaskPower says stay clear of power lines when operating farm equipment during seeding.
Last year, SaskPower recorded 262 farm-related incidents involving power infrastructure such as power lines with most of them occurring in the spring. It’s also a small decrease from 268 incidents recorded in 2023.
There are several preventative measures producers can take this spring:
• Plan your route ahead of time using the interactive Look Up and Live map
• Lower or retract equipment all the time when crossing or working around power lines
• Use a spotter for a second set of eyes on the ground
• Take routine breaks to avoid fatigue
• If you’re moving a large load around power lines, request a temporary line lift
In the event farm equipment comes in contact with a power line, SaskPower says unless there is a fire, the safest place to be is in the cab of the vehicle and call 911. But if there is a fire, there is a procedure to get out:
• Swing the vehicle door wide open, making sure to not touch the outside of the vehicle
• Make sure no wires are in your way
• Stand in the doorway of the vehicle, cross your arms in front of your chest and put your feet together
• Jump as far from the vehicle as possible landing with your feet together, ensuring you don’t touch the outside of the vehicle.
• With your arms still crossed and feet together, hop at last 10 meters away from the vehicle
• Call 911 immediately
• Do not return to your vehicle until the area has been made safe
“This is really important for us to get this messaging out, to provide these tips, just to keep it top of mind, just to make sure that everyone is making safety a priority,” said Scott McGregor, Media Relations Consultant with SaskPower.
Of the number of incidents, McGregor says no producer intends to hit a line while seeding but is glad the number is going down.
“We’re going to keep hammering on the safety messaging until that number hits zero and stays at zero.” he said.
More information on working safely near power lines can be found at saskpower.com/lookupandlive.
