Manitoba Hydro is urging farmers to be careful when working near overhead power lines. The warning comes following a week that saw at least three mishaps involving farm machinery.
According to Manitoba Hydro, there have been several incidents already this spring where farm machinery contacting hydro equipment has resulted in significant damage. In the past week alone, three incidents have occurred, one of which resulted in the loss of a tower on Manitoba Hydro's Bipole 1 high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line in the Interlake.
Other incidents involving distribution poles have occurred in both the Russell area and near Oakville, causing local power outages.
Manitoba Hydro says fortunately there were no injuries in any of these incidents, and the damaged HVDC tower has since been replaced.
Manitoba Hydro says that while there were no impacts to electrical service due to the HVDC contact, damage to overhead power lines, poles and towers can result in outages affecting service to hospitals, police, and fire stations that can impact public safety, as well as other customers. Contact with overhead power lines also presents a significant electrocution risk to agricultural producers.
Manitoba Hydro says that because today's farm equipment is bigger than ever, it can more easily come into contact, and damage electrical infrastructure. The following recommendations are being made to farmers:
- Know the height and width of their equipment.
- If it is over 4.8 metres in height, apply online for a clearance permit from Manitoba Hydro before moving equipment to different fields on public roadways.
- When driving equipment under a power line, ensure a distance of at least three metres (or 10 feet) from overhead power lines.
- Prevent a tragedy by identifying hazards before equipment is moved or operated, staying alert, and discussing power line safety with everyone working on the farm.
If producers do contact an overhead power line, they should not exit their equipment. Manitoba Hydro says to stay in the equipment or vehicle and call 911 immediately to report the contact. Emergency personnel will coordinate with Manitoba Hydro so that crews can respond and make the area safe as quickly as possible.