power line

In the rush of harvest time, farmers are being reminded to stay safe.

SaskPower says over the last few years, injuries and fatalities have occurred on farms after vehicles and equipment came into contact with overhead power lines.

"We want to do everything we can to make sure that farmers know what to do to avoid contact in the first place, and if they do make contact, we want to make sure they know some of the key information to prevent injury," said Glenda Barton, Chief Safety Officer with the Crown utility. "If you do make contact, stay on your equipment. If the equipment is on fire and it's not safe to stay on the equipment, then there is a technique that we recommend. It's dangerous, but you can safely exit if you absolutely have to by hopping away to at least 10 metres away from the equipment that has contacted the line."

Barton advises farmers to look up and make sure they know where the power lines are to avoid contact, always plan a safe route around the lines, and always lower equipment like grain augers and ladders before moving them.

If you hit a power line with your equipment or vehicle, call SaskPower at 310-2220, and if someone's injured dial 9-1-1 for an ambulance.