By CJME News; Daniel Reech

SaskPower stresses safety after 187 farm incidents this year

Aug 18, 2023 | 11:03 AM

SaskPower is urging farmers to stay safe during the harvest season.

In a news release sent out Thursday, the Crown corporation said it has observed 187 incidents involving farm equipment this year as of Aug. 8.

That’s more than the total of 169 from the same day the previous year.

“Anyone close to agriculture knows that everything has happened a bit earlier this year,” said Scott McGregor of SaskPower. “Timelines have been adjusted; the season in many parts of the province has been shorter. That’s likely why we’re seeing a slightly higher number this year than we did the same day last year.”

According to the release, there were 248 farm-related incidents in 2022.

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“The most important thing to do before operating large equipment around power lines is to have a plan,” Nidal Dabghi, the director of safety at SaskPower, said in the release. “Plan your route ahead of time, make sure you’re aware of where power lines are, and take routine breaks to avoid fatigue. Taking these small steps will help everyone come home safe.”

The release also stated that farm-related line contacts are more common in the seeding and harvest season in all areas of the province.

McGregor mentioned other ways in which farmers can prepare themselves.

“(It’s important) knowing where your work is going to end if you have to work close to power lines to retract or lower your equipment, potentially utilizing a spotter,” McGregor said.

“(It would help) seeing if you have somebody you can ask to come and help you to give you that extra set of eyes on the ground.”

Should someone come into contact with a power line, McGregor said staying inside the vehicle is the safest course of action.

“Do not get out of the vehicle unless it’s not safe to remain in there,” he said. “If a fire has started up (or) if the situation is not safe to remain in your vehicle, only then should you leave your vehicle.”

McGregor said that in the event you do have to leave the vehicle, you should follow a safe exit procedure.

“Basically you swing your door open as wide as you possibly can making sure not to touch the outside of the vehicle, cross your arms across your chest or keep them close to your sides and jump away as far as you can from your vehicle,” McGregor said.

“(It’s important) landing with both feet together, making sure not to touch your vehicle, and then hop with your feet together as far away as you possibly can. We recommend a minimum safe distance of 10 metres and then from there, call 911 (and) call our outage centre.”

He also said the farmers should not approach their vehicle again after exiting due to the risk of electricity.

McGregor said that while the incidents range in severity, any line contact has the potential to be serious.