SaskPower animated online video aimed at keeping farm families safe

REGINA -- SaskPower is using new technology to get across the age-old message that farm families need to be aware of the potential hazards of power lines and equipment on their farms

A new animated farm safety video available online from SaskPower also contains valuable tips on how to stay safe on the farm, the Crown corporation said in a news release Wednesday

"Anyone working on a farm must always be watchful for overhead power lines and other electrical equipment," SaskPower chief safety officer Glenda Barton said in a press release. "A few seconds of inattention can be enough to cause injury or death."

Planning ahead can be the difference between getting a job done safely and suffering a life-altering injury or costly equipment damage, she added

SaskPower's new video includes the following critical safety tips for farmers as they prepare for spring work:

- Take time each day to plan your route around overhead lines and power poles

- Make sure to always lower equipment before moving it, and watch out for power lines when carrying tall equipment like ladders

- Never approach a downed power line because the ground around it can be electrified

- Electricity can jump to nearby buildings, grain bins and hay stacks, so place any structure at least 50 feet away from power lines

- If you use an irrigation system, keep the water away from the power lines to avoid electrifying the water stream

- Never trim trees near power lines or remove broken branches that have fallen on power lines

Ron Adcock, safety management systems supervisor for SaskPower, said the animated video get the farm safety message across more directly and simply than re-enactments using actors or SaskPower staff

"They did a really good job of portraying what the actual hazards are. You don't get all the clutter in the background. For example, they just show the tractor and the power line.''

The animated video, which was produced by Melcher Media & Design of Regina, is also a fresh take on a familiar message. "It's a different approach,'' Adcock said. "People get tired of seeing the same thing.''

And being available online makes the video instantly accessible to a much larger audience, he added. "Our kids are very familiar with this technology now. To them, it's just second nature using this (technology),'' Adcock said

In addition to the new animated video, SaskPower will be running province-wide radio advertising and a bill insert campaign to promote safety on the farm this spring. Want more information regarding kids water safety ?

The insert contains peel-and-stick safety decals to place inside farm equipment to remind farmers what to do if they accidentally contact an overhead line

The video can be found at: www.saskpower.com/safety/tips/farm/power_line_safety_video.shtml