Electricity is a flowing force. It always seeks ground
and will take all paths to get there – it will flow through water, metal,
trees, wood, rubber, straw, tires or people. If you enter the path by
touching energized wires or cables with your body or other conductive
items, you could become part of the electrical circuit and receive a shock
that could injure or kill you.
To provide you with electricity safely, ATCO Electric
strings the power lines along metal towers and wood poles well out of
normal reach. The wires rest on insulators to prevent the electricity from
finding a path to ground.
Making contact with power lines can result in death and injury. People
get severely burned or killed. Lives can be changed forever. When you work
around power lines follow these steps:
ATCO Electric 24-hour emergency and power repair
1-800-668-5506
Plan Your Work
Before doing any work near power lines, know where all of the power lines are located.
Before digging or driving posts into the ground, call Alberta One Call at 1-800-242-3447 to locate and mark all ATCO Electric underground cables.
When using machinery to dig, maintain clearances of at least one metre from any electrical cable.
If you must work closer, contact ATCO Electric.
If you unearth an electrical cable or cable duct while
excavating, yell for help and have someone call ATCO Electric immediately. Try to move the machine clear of the cable. If you cannot, stay on the machine until ATCO Electric arrives and shuts the power off.
Machinery and Equipment
Always lower high equipment like augers and grain boxes before moving them.
If you are required to move large equipment, plan your route. If you suspect your load will interfere with power lines, call ATCO Electric before proceeding.
Install antennas at a distance at least equal to the
height of the antenna plus three metres.
Avoid Danger Zones
Always be on the lookout for fallen or sagging wires, especially after storms.
Stay away from downed power lines. Never touch an energized wire with your hand or any other object, under any circumstance. If you notice a damaged facility, notify ATCO Electric immediately and keep everyone away from the area.
Never stack hay or pile grain near power lines.
Use care when cultivating around power poles and guy wires. Watch for broken or dislodged guy wires. Report broken or damaged guy wires to ATCO Electric immediately.
Never spray water hoses at power lines.
Rubber gloves WILL NOT protect you from the voltages carried by overhead power lines.
Wood CAN conduct electricity.
Avoid going outdoors during a lightning storm.
Stay Clear
Stay at least 15 metres from a downed power line or other damaged facility. The voltage on the ground is highest in the immediate area around the electrical source and decreases with distance (see illustration below). Walking over the area can cause a fatal shock.
If you feel a tingling sensation, stop immediately, place your feet together and shuffle
or hop out of the area without touching anything with your hands.
If you are operating a vehicle or farm equipment that touches a downed power line, you are generally safe as long as you stay in it. Others are safe as long as they stay back 15
metres.
If you are able, slowly drive at least 15 metres clear of the downed power line and any pools
of water.
If you are unable to drive the vehicle or equipment call, or have someone call, ATCO Electric and stay inside until ATCO Electric arrives.
If you must leave the vehicle or equipment due to immediate danger (such as a fire), jump out with your feet together and without touching the vehicle or equipment and ground at the same time. Shuffle or hop away to a safe distance: at least 15
metres.
Look Up and Live
Take great care to avoid overhead power lines, especially when performing dangerous activities
such as:
Using a ladder;
Pruning or cutting trees;
Cleaning a pool;
Installing or removing an antenna;
Working on the roof;
Carrying long tools or pipes; or
Setting up and moving scaffolding.
Trees and Vegetation
Do not plant trees that will grow into power lines.
Plan your shelterbelts carefully. Plant trees at
least eight metres from primary power lines. (Primary power lines are generally found along roads and utility rights-of-way.) Plant trees on the leeward side of the power line to reduce the hazard of trees blowing into power lines.
Contact ATCO Electric before you trim trees near a primary power line.
Be Power Safe
on the Farm
Ensure outdoor outlets have a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
(GFCI).
Do not insert any metal implement
into an electrical appliance or equipment while it is plugged in.
Do not overload circuits.
Use only grounded plugs and never remove or disable the third (ground) prong.
Do not plug or unplug electrical tools and equipment with wet hands or in wet conditions.
Replace damaged or frayed cords.
Never attempt to adjust or disconnect your power meter: it could explode.
Always have a qualified electrician perform any electrical work, including hooking up an emergency or back-up generator.
Be Power Safe
While every
effort has
been made to
provide
accurate and
complete
information
for your
safety, ATCO
Electric is
not liable
for any
loss, costs,
damage or
injury
resulting
from the use
of this
material, or
from
accidental
contacts
with
electricity.
For more
information
on
electrical
safety and
related
topics,
contact the
ATCO
Electric
Customer
Assistance
Centre at
1-800-668-2248.
into an electrical appliance or equipment while it is plugged in.