SaskPower urges safety on the farm during seeding season

As seeding gets underway across Saskatchewan, SaskPower reminds farmers to make safety their top priority.

It continues to be a concern as last year SaskPower recorded 262 farm-related incidents involving power infrastructure – down from 268 in 2023 – with the majority occurring in the spring.

Media relations consultant with SaskPower Scott McGregor said it helps to plan your route ahead of time.

“We have a really useful interactive map on our website at saskpower.com/lookupandlive. It shows every above ground power line, transformer, every bit of infrastructure above ground so you can appropriately plan your route ahead of time,” McGregor said.

If you are moving from field to field with an air seeder or sprayer, it’s best to collapse or retract the equipment before you start moving around power lines.

“That will make your footprint a lot smaller and hopefully allow you to get some safe clearance around that that power infrastructure if possible.”

Another tip is to use a spotter for a second set of eyes on the ground.

McGregor said fatigue is often factor when mistakes are made.