Bigger Equipment, Bigger Risk

Friday, October 30, 2026

Why today’s machinery demands more attention around power lines

By Emily McKinlay

During the harvest rush, it can be difficult to prioritize farm safety discussions. But while farmers are busy in the fields, the overhead hydro lines still pose risks of equipment damage and injury.

Ryan Dick, a health and safety consultant with the Agriculture Team at Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS), says that taking a few minutes to prioritize safe work can help ensure employees make safe choices in emergencies.

“When things happen, people are going to do something, and it will either be the right thing or the wrong thing. If they are not trained, you can’t assume they will do the right thing,” says Dick.

Keep the harvest rolling safely by knowing the potential risks of working around hydro lines, how to prevent contact, and how to handle electricity related emergencies.

Risks around power lines

As equipment is moved on roads, through farm entrances, and in fields, electrical lines pose hazards to operators.

Robin Anderson, director of programs and communications at the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA), says that accidents involving power lines can cause damage and disruptions to nearby communities and farm operations.

“Large and tall equipment coming into contact with an overhead power line can cause damage to the lines and equipment,” says Anderson.

“This can include disruptions in power service to nearby homes, farms and communities. Fires and electrical injuries like electrical shock or arc flashes can occur.”

Equipment doesn’t need to be physically connected to power lines to conduct electricity.

“One of the biggest things to be aware of is that it is not just contact that can cause an issue. Producers should be more aware of the possibility that electricity can jump or arc to conductive objects that get too close when working near power lines. Equipment needs a minimum clearance of three metres or 10 feet,” says Dick.

“Some of the biggest risks around harvest time are moving augers, trucks with dump boxes, or raised equipment like payloaders. Contacting posts can also be a big issue. That post can come down and can result in a downed power line.”

Dick adds, “When talking about power lines, most people will only consider the overhead wires, but they need to also be mindful of buried and underground power lines as well.”

The risks have grown as equipment has become larger, and many farmers are hauling longer loads down the road.

Hydro One also warns that during hot weather or during heavy line loads, power lines can sag, making it harder to anticipate the clearance of large equipment.

“Equipment has gotten larger over the years, and much of the electrical distribution system was built at a time when farming equipment was smaller,” says Anderson.

Dick has seen these changes in equipment size on his own operation.

“I grew up with an eight-foot offset disc, and now we have a 40-foot disc. The equipment size itself has gotten bigger and taller,” says Dick.

“The length of equipment has also increased. I have seen farmers moving four gravity wagons behind one tractor, which requires a wide turn radius. The chances of that back wagon clipping a hydro pole are increased.”

Increased automation in newer equipment may also present risks for producers working in fields with hydro lines.

“New equipment has all kinds of monitors to watch and maintain. There is less opportunity to watch down the field and more requirement to watch the monitors right in front of us. That, combined with long hours of farming, increases chances of having a problem occur,” says Dick.

“There is so much more in the cab to pay attention to. The little things in the field, like hydro lines, become a lot less apparent to the operator. A lot of equipment also now relies on auto steer and maintaining a GPS signal. Depending on the field or the conditions, you don’t always get a good signal, and you may think the machine will take over and go around the hydro pole when the signal is lost. Farmers need to be more reactive and on the ball with newer machines.”

Assessing & planning ahead

Power line safety is relevant to projects outside of the field as well. While farms and equipment may not have changed, weather conditions and maintenance may affect the clearance and integrity of the power lines. Regular assessments are critical to risk mitigation.

“Producers should perform hazard assessments regularly on the farm in general, and this also applies to electrical hazards,” says Anderson.

“Looking for potential areas that could harm someone is the first step in understanding what hazards exist. Once a hazard is identified, strategies can be put into place to control those hazards.”

Dick says these assessments should be conducted before any work is carried out around the farm. If a field or work site hasn’t been worked in recently, the farm owner should reexamine the area.

“The farm owner has a responsibility to do assessments on all areas of a worksite if they have employees. They need to know off the hop what farms have power line related hazards present, including which farm properties have power access,” says Dick.

“Site assessment should occur on a regular basis. Owners need to know and remind workers that those hazards are present and identify where complying with the minimum clearance distance may not be possible.”

He recommends creating a site map for each farm that clearly identifies power lines and areas of risk where power line clearance may be lower, such as field entrances, along driveways, and near buildings. Equipment height should be noted relative to clearance in those areas, and the concerns should be communicated with the farm team.

“Farming is a year-round activity. When you are doing assessments, make sure you are doing them throughout different times in the year. When there is not as much vegetative growth in the early spring, you are likely going to see more hazards than in the summer,” says Dick.

“A lot of the time, people only consider field work around power lines, but there could also be wood cutting or land clearing. Weather conditions and storms can also play a role in changing hazards.”

Areas around hydro lines should be monitored for fallen tree limbs or overgrown shrubbery. Dick says that producers should contact their local utility company to determine the required clearances for the line before doing any work on shrubbery.

Equipment heights should be measured, and clearances should be known for all potential crossings below overhead wires.

“Plan any work beforehand. Locate the overhead lines and know the height of equipment being moved. This goes for in the farmyard, as well as routes into fields and on rural routes and roads,” says Anderson.

“If there isn’t enough clearance, take another route, and if this isn’t possible, contact the service provider to raise wires. Farmers should not attempt to raise wires on their own. If there is enough clearance, before proceeding, ensure the equipment is lowered and have someone act as a spotter, watching for clearance.”

Dick also recommends posting equipment heights somewhere on the implement that will be visible to the operator and posting warning signs near overhead wires. He encourages producers to do ‘tailgate talks’ with their employees about the risks. Equipment operators should have access to a method of communication, and there should be a set schedule for physical check-ins at the field.

“Never assume a worker is aware of how to do a job safely,” says Dick.

Anderson says producers should also be aware when planning farmyard expansions: “When building or erecting grain bins, barns, sheds and other structures, they should be set at least 15 metres from overhead power lines.”

Accident response

Even with good farm safety practices and risk assessments, there is always a chance an accident can occur. It’s important to know how to respond to prevent further injury or damage.

“Stay put! Contact the service provider and emergency services immediately,” says Anderson.

“Bystanders should remain at least 10 metres away if a line is down. Even if the line doesn’t come down, it’s a good idea to call the service provider to assess and repair any damage.”

Dick says the equipment operator should always stay in the cab if possible. “If you’re working with equipment and contact a line, call 911 and stay in the cab. Communicate clearly to everyone else in the field to stay back, if possible, using a cell phone and without opening the door or window,” says Dick.

“If you hit a pole and it comes down, do not try to get out of the equipment, as the machinery or ground could be energized. You do not want to touch the equipment and the ground at the same time.”

He says that if there is a fire or a forced evacuation of the equipment, operators should jump clear of the equipment without touching the equipment or the ground. They should try to land with their feet together and shuffle away with small steps, keeping both feet on the ground.

“A little smoke may not mean you need to evacuate the equipment. It should be a last resort,” adds Dick.

Planning ahead, regularly assessing fields and yards, and clearly communicating risks, expectations, and emergency response plans to everyone involved on the farm can help keep all members of the farm safe throughout the busy seasons on the farm. BF