Overhead Power Lines Can Produce Shocking Results - September 19,
2002
"Farmers should protect themselves, their families and their workers by knowing the
clearance from the ground to the lowest overhead electrical conductors in their farmyard,
adjacent to their fields and across their municipal road," said Manitoba's provincial
farm safety co-ordinator. "If you operate farm vehicles and equipment in the
vicinity of electric power lines you may be coming dangerously close to the overhead
lines," said Glen Blahey. "Conductor clearances vary with age, temperature,
location and application and can change over time. If you are concerned about line
clearances, please contact your local Manitoba Hydro district office."
Provincial regulations dictate that any vehicle over 4.15 metres (13'6") in
height, including farm vehicles and farm implements, is required to obtain a permit from
the local Manitoba Transportation and Government Services office before operating on
provincial roadways. The permit system is designed to ensure safety on provincial roads.
Manitoba Hydro has responded to over 40 incidents this year alone where overhead power
lines have contacted farm machinery. "Of the contacts, approximately 65 per cent have
involved cultivators and seeders and unfortunately, in the past, there have been serious
injuries resulting from these types of contacts," said Henry Bergen of Manitoba
Hydro's Safety Department. "In addition to the injuries and human suffering there is
the property damage and inconvenience that occurs," he added.
Most overhead line contacts result in costly damage to the lines and farm equipment and
cause electrical service interruptions. Manitoba Hydro initiates cost recovery procedures
for damages caused as a result of these contacts.
"Awareness is the key element in preventing overhead line contacts," said
Blahey. "Ask yourself if you know how high your equipment is when it is in its
highest transport position. Not fully lowering a grain auger, installing a radio antenna
on a cab or purchasing a new piece of equipment are typical reasons for contacts.
"Remember, it only takes a moment to look up and make the appropriate adjustments
to safely pass under that overhead power line. Think about the consequences of not doing
that."
Contact: Glen
Blahey
This is the second in a series of news releases on agricultural safety and health
produced by the provincial farm safety co-ordinator who administers a program that assists
Manitoba's agricultural community in the development of safer practices to achieve greater
sustainability. |
