Manitoba Hydro is reminding agricultural producers in Manitoba to exercise caution around overhead power lines, utility poles and transmission towers.
There have been several incidents already this spring where farm machinery contacting hydro equipment has resulted in significant damage. In the last week alone, three incidents have occurred, one of which resulted in the loss of a tower on Manitoba Hydro’s Bipole 1 High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission line in the Interlake.
Other incidents involving distribution poles have occurred in both the Russell area and near Oakville, Manitoba, causing local power outages.
Fortunately, there were no injuries in any of the incidents, and the damaged HVDC tower has since been replaced and the line is back in service.
While there were no impacts to electrical service due to the HVDC contact, damage to overhead power lines, poles and towers can result in outages affecting service to hospitals, police and fire stations that can impact public safety, as well as other customers. Contact with overhead powerlines also presents a significant electrocution risk to agricultural producers.
Because today’s farm equipment is bigger than ever, it can more easily come into contact and damage electrical infrastructure. It is critical that producers:
- Know the height and width of their equipment.
- If it’s over 4.8 metres in height, apply online for a clearance permit from Manitoba Hydro before moving equipment to different fields on public roadways.
- When driving equipment under a power line, ensure a distance of at least 3 metres (or 10 feet) from overhead power lines.
- Prevent a tragedy by identifying hazards before equipment is moved or operated, staying alert, and discussing power line safety with everyone working on the farm.
Manitoba agricultural producers can apply online for a farm clearance permit that lasts the entire growing season.
If producers do contact an overhead powerline, producers should not exit their equipment. Stay in the equipment or vehicle and call 911 immediately to report the contact. Emergency personnel will coordinate with Manitoba Hydro so that our crews can respond and make the area safe as quickly as possible.
Safety – yours and ours – is our top priority.
For more information, please contact:
Peter Chura, Media Relations Officer
431-323-4511
pchura@hydro.mb.ca
