As Saskatchewan farmers hit the fields this fall, SaskPower is reminding operators to keep safety top of mind when working near power lines.
“There have been 219 farm-related line contacts so far this year, a 17 per cent increase over the same period last year,” said Nidal Dabghi, SaskPower’s Director of Safety. “Preparation and attentiveness are key to a safe harvest. Slow down, take the time you need, and stay alert.”
SaskPower recommends farmers plan routes using its Look Up and Live Map, take regular breaks to avoid fatigue, have a spotter when operating near lines, and retract or lower equipment when moving between fields.
In the event of a line contact, operators are advised to remain in their vehicles and call the SaskPower Outage Centre at 310-2220. If a fire occurs, SaskPower instructs operators to safely exit the vehicle using a feet-together, arms-crossed hopping method, maintain a safe distance, call 911, and not return until the area is secure.
More safety tips are available at saskpower.com/lookupandlive.