Safety checklist

Do you know where your overhead power lines are? You should stay a safe distance -at least 3 metres (10 feet) from overhead power lines. _yes _ no
Do you know that if you touch overhead power lines directly or while in contact with any object that does, 14,400 volts will be sent through your body to the ground - causing injury or death? _yes _ no
Can underground wires be just as deadly as overhead power lines? _yes _ no
Should you check with SaskPower, SaskEnergy and SaskTel to find out the exact location of buried lines before you dig? (SaskPower's number is 1-888-757-6937) _yes _ no
Are your home, granaries, barns, bale stacks, fuel tanks and water wells located at least 15 metres (50 feet) from overhead power lines? _yes _ no
Are your home, granaries, barns and bale stacks at least 6 metres (20 feet) away from pad-mounted transformers or underground cables? Water wells should be 1.5 metres (5 feet) and fuel tanks should be 7.5 metres (25 feet) away. _yes _ no
Before moving them, do you make sure your grain auger and cultivator wings are fully lowered? _yes _ no
When moving any tall equipment and machinery under power lines, do you have someone watch from a safe distance? _yes _ no
If there isn't enough clearance, do you take another route or call SaskPower to raise the wires? (Never attempt to raise wires yourself) _yes _ no
When irrigating, do you ensure water is not directed at overhead wires? (Electricity could be conducted through the water and irrigation pipe to you) _yes _ no
Have you ever devoted a day to family safety instructions and rules? _yes _ no
Do you enforce a "no riding or playing on equipment" rule with your children? _yes _ no
Do you ensure front-end loaders and other equipment that might fall are left in the lowered position? _yes _ no
When you park self-propelled machinery, do you lock brakes and remove the keys from the ignition? _yes _ no
Do you check to see if anyone is behind, under or in front of machinery before starting it, and especially when reversing it? _yes _ no
If your teenagers operate machinery, have they completed safety training? _yes _ no
Are your farm ponds and manure pits fenced? _yes _ no
Do you place ladders out of reach of children or fit them with a special barrier? _yes _ no
Do you shield dangerous machinery components, electrical boxes and wiring and fit them with locks? _yes _ no
Do you store chemicals and pesticides in a locked area? _yes _ no
Do you have lights and reflectors on all equipment used on roads? _yes _ no
When working,do you wear close-fitting clothing that is not frayed, tie back long hair, keep your boot laces tied, and take off all jewelry and watches? _yes _ no
Do you always disengage the power take-off, turn off the engine and remove the keys before leaving the tractor? You should make it a practice to walk around the PTO shaft-never over it. _yes _ no

Exercising good safety practices related to farming will help to enhance your safety and the safety of those around you. All farming accidents are preventable if you're mindful of the dangers.

Let's make it safe.

Also visit the Saskatchewan Labour web site for additional information on farm safety.