Before you wing up, measure up.

That's the message from FortisAlberta, reminding producers to know the height of their equipment when moving it around power lines.

Last year, they recorded seven contacts made by air seeders to overhead power lines, 15 contacts made by tractors, and 11 contacts made by grain augers.

Corporate Communications Advisor with FortisAlberta, Mona Bartsoff, says the height of farm equipment has grown over the years.

"Since the 1950's it has doubled, and we're asking farmers to be aware of the size of their equipment, particularly when it's in transport mode."

They recommend exercising caution if your equipment is higher than 4.15 meters.

Bartsoff says, the most important thing is to know the height of your equipment when moving to the fields this spring.

"The next thing is to have in mind you route, and if there's any power lines that you feel you may be anywhere close to contacting, we would love to hear from you, and we can talk to you about those lines and give you a sense of how close you can get, and or come out and do a site inspection and make sure that you're safe."

She says, they also have a power line farm safety plan you can download at fortisalberta.com.

In the unfortunate circumstance your equipment does make contact with a power line, Bartsoff says unless the piece of equipment is on fire, stay in the cab and keep others away.

"Then using your cell phone, contact 911, and also contact your local utility. In the case that you do realize there's fire, or impending fire, and need to get out of the cab, we recommend that you jump with your feet together, free of of the piece of the equipment and don't touch it again."

She says, after jumping from the equipment, hop or shuffle away for at least 10 meters.

For more resources and contact information, you can visit their website.

 

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