Manitoba Hydro crews work to repair damaged electrical infrastructure after it was struck by farm equipment. (MANITOBA HYDRO / HANDOUT)
WINNIPEG — Manitoba Hydro is warning farmers to use extra caution around overhead power lines after a string of recent incidents involving farm machinery caused damage to electrical infrastructure.
In the past week alone, three separate collisions have been reported, including one that brought down a transmission tower on the Bipole 1 HVDC line in the Interlake region. Other incidents near Russell and Oakville damaged distribution poles and triggered local outages.
Though no injuries were reported, the Crown corporation warns that contact with power lines poses a serious risk of electrocution and can disrupt electricity to critical services such as hospitals and emergency responders.
With modern farm equipment growing in size, the utility is urging producers to be aware of their machinery’s height and to maintain at least three metres of clearance from overhead lines. Equipment over 4.8 metres tall requires a special permit for transport across public roads.
Hydro is also reminding farmers to stay in their vehicles and call 911 immediately if contact occurs, as exiting could be fatal.
Farmers can apply online for a seasonal equipment clearance permit at hydro.mb.ca.
