SaskPower reminding farmers of safety around power lines during harvest

Farmers and their families and staff are being reminded to keep safety top of mind during harvest this year, especially around power lines.

Nearly half of all farm safety incidents happen during harvest, according to a release from SaskPower.

SaskPower reported seeing 198 incidents involving farm equipment this year, including one death. Last year, 306 line and pole contacts with farm machinery were recorded — all preventable, according to the power corporation.

“Safety is SaskPower’s priority, which is why farmers are reminded to take some extra time, identify the risks before heading out, and ensure that they work very carefully around power lines this harvest season,” advised Kevin Schwing, SaskPower’s director of safety.

Schwing recommends taking time to “look up and live” while working around overhead power lines, especially.

Should an operator does come into contact with a power line or power pole, they are advised to remain in their vehicle if safe and to call Sask Power Outage Centre to report the incident.

If it isn’t safe to remain in their vehicle, operators should:

• Make sure no wires are in their way out of the vehicle;
• Stand in the doorway of their vehicle, cross their arms and put their feet together;
• Jump as far away from their vehicle as possible and land with their feet together.

Operators are not to touch the vehicle once exited under any circumstances. At this point, operators should keep their arms crossed and their feet together as they hop at least 10 metres away.

Once clear of the vehicle and safely away from the scene, operators should call 310-2220 to report the incident. In an emergency, call 911.