Over 250 farm-related power line incidents reported in 2023: SaskPower
SaskPower is reminding farmers to be wary and make safety a priority while operating equipment near power lines.
While accidents can always happen, the provincial electrical Crown says there’s a noticeable rise in power line contacts as farmers make their way into the field during seeding and harvest.
In 2023, a total of 268 farm-related power line incidents were reported to SaskPower, according to a news release.
“We understand that spring seeding is a very busy time across Saskatchewan,” Director of Safety Nidal Dabghi said in the release.
“We urge farmers to work safely so they can come home safe tonight.”
The Crown reminds producers to avoid operating equipment while fatigued, to use a spotter when moving equipment close to power lines, and planning routes ahead of time to help prevent accidents.
SaskPower provides a “Look up and Live” interactive map, which displays overhead power lines across the province.
In the event anyone contacts a live power line — SaskPower urges residents to follow its safety procedures.
If able to, operators should remain in their vehicle and call 911 immediately.
If the line contact causes a fire, operators should follow the safe exit procedure:
- Swing the vehicle’s door wide open, being sure not to touch the outside of the vehicle.
- Ensure no wires are in your way.
- Stand in the doorway, crossing your arms in front of your chest with your feet together.
- Jump as far from the vehicle as possible while making sure to not touch the outside of the vehicle. Keep your feet together.
- While keeping your arms and feet together, hop away from the scene at least 10 metres.
- Once at a safe distance – call 911
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Family of toddler found dead at small-town Ont. daycare no closer to answers after year of investigation
A year has passed since two-year-old Vienna Irwin was found on the property of a home-based daycare in small-town Ontario, but her family says they are no closer to answers of what happened that day.
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Community mourns victims of fatal boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
The three people killed in last weekend's tragic collision between a speedboat and a fishing boat north of Kingston are being remembered Friday.
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
American Airlines drops law firm that said a 9-year-old girl should have seen camera on toilet seat
American Airlines has replaced the law firm that told a judge a nine-year-old girl was negligent in not noticing there was a camera phone taped to the seat in an airplane lavatory.
Nicki Minaj's England concert postponed after rapper was detained by Dutch authorities over pot
Nicki Minaj's concert in Manchester scheduled for Saturday night was postponed after police in the Netherlands discovered marijuana in her bags as she was preparing to leave the country.
1 dead, 3 in hospital after flying wheel crashes into bus windshield on QEW
A man is dead, and three others are in hospital after a flying wheel crashed into a coach bus on the QEW in St. Catharines.