Keep safety in sight this harvest season
Fall harvest is one of the busiest times of the year for Manitoba farmers. Long days, tight timelines and changing weather make it a high-stakes, stressful time of year.
Amid the rush, we’re reminding farmers to stay aware of overhead power lines and electrical equipment to help prevent dangerous incidents and keep everyone safe.
Stay aware with new technology
Technology advances such as GPS and autosteer have increased the efficiency of farming. At the same time, they contribute to a lack of focus and an increased risk of contact with high voltage equipment. Be alert and take a moment to identify nearby power lines. That split second could save your life.
The aftermath of a tractor plowing into a transmission tower.
Enlarge image: A tractor partially covered by a fallen steel transmission tower.
“We understand the significant effort and long hours that Manitoba farmers put in during harvest season and the mental and physical strain that comes with it,” said Nadine Gosselin, damage prevention supervisor at Manitoba Hydro. “As farmers focus on bringing in the crop, we encourage everyone to stay alert, watch for overhead power lines and other electrical hazards and take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe harvest.”
Here are some electrical safety tips to share with agricultural producers you know during the harvest season:
- Know the height and width of your equipment.
- Make sure your farm equipment can safely clear overhead power lines on your property and near field entrances. Make sure that a distance of at least 3 m (10’) from overhead power lines.
- Lower truck boxes, tractor loads and other equipment before you drive away.
- Prevent a tragedy: identify hazards before equipment is moved or operated, stayalert, and discuss power line safety with everyone working on the farm.
If you do contact an overhead powerline, you should not exit your equipment. Stay in the equipment or vehicle and call 911 immediately to report the contact. Emergency personnel will coordinate with us so that our crews can respond and make the area safe as quickly as possible.
Safety – yours and ours – is our top priority.
