Sask Power is reminding farmers to be cautious around power infrastructure during this harvest season.
The crown corporation says there have already been 240 reported incidents of farm machinery coming into contact with power poles and lines while farmers work in the fields. That is 10 more than what was reported at the same time in 2018.
Spokesperson Joel Cherry said a number of things can happen when farm equipment comes into contact with power lines.
“It can cause damage to your equipment, it certainly damages our equipment, it can cause outages, and in more severe circumstances it can cause injuries and even death.”
Cherry said if you come in contact with a power line, the best thing to do is stay in the vehicle, call SaskPower and 9-1-1.
“If the vehicle has caught fire or if you see smoke, you must exit,” Cherry said. “In that circumstance, you should make sure there are no wires in the way, you should cross your arms and keep your feet together so you’re as solid of an object as possible, and then jump as far away as you can from the vehicle, and hop, keeping your feet together, at least 10 metres, or 33 feet, away.”
Cherry later added farmers should get plenty of rest before hitting the field, scout for lines before getting in the machinery, and lower equipment as much as possible before crossing under lines to prevent any accidents.
