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
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
His SUV was stolen on Montreal's South Shore. Then he got a $156 parking ticket
A couple is frustrated after their SUV was stolen from Montreal's South Shore in March and they received a parking ticket for the same vehicle last week.
Evacuation orders lifted in Fort McMurray Saturday as rain dampens wildfire activity
Residents of Fort of McMurray who were displaced over wildfire concerns were told to return home Saturday.
Conservatives, NDP should be 'celebrating' EV deals: industry minister
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne says federal opposition parties should be 'celebrating' the recently announced electric vehicle deals, despite their criticisms the Liberals refuse to make public the terms and conditions laid out in the contracts.
Member of Israel's War Cabinet says he'll quit June 8 unless there's new war plan
Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel’s three-member War Cabinet, threatened on Saturday to resign from the government if it doesn't adopt a new plan in three weeks' time for the war in Gaza.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.