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SaskPower reminding public to be careful working around power lines

May 13, 2020 | 1:00 PM

It is seeding time in Saskatchewan and farmers are out in the fields working to get this year’s crop in the ground.

As this is going on SaskPower wants to remind farmers to be aware of power lines and poles in and around their fields. Scott McGregor, a media relations consultant with SaskPower, said farmers making contact with equipment is an issue in Saskatchewan.

“We have power lines all over and there’s farmers all over so contacts with farm equipment does happen all over the province,” he said.

According to SaskPower there have been over 30 incidents in the last two weeks where farm equipment has made contact with lines or other infrastructure.

McGregor said besides putting the person in the vehicle in possible danger, the current dry spring conditions could also cause other issues if a live line hits the ground.

“There is a risk for grass fire, for forest fire anything like that, especially with the dry spring we’ve had so far,” he said.

To avoid a potential contact with a line, SaskPower is reminding farmers to lower their equipment before moving it. It is also recommended people look out for overhead lines before starting work.

In the event someone makes contact with a line it is recommended people stay inside the vehicle and call for help.

Last year there were over 300 incidents where people hit lines.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn