GrandBridge Energy Inc. urges everyone working or playing outdoors to remain vigilant and exercise caution near powerlines. Outdoor DIY projects such as landscaping, building a new deck or taking down seasonal lights can potentially be dangerous if powerlines are nearby.
No matter how momentary, one distraction near powerlines can cause severe injury or death. To avoid danger while working around your property or on a construction site, practice three critical steps: stop, look, and live.
Powerline Safety Tips for Households:
- Look for overhead powerlines. Before starting yard work or outdoor home maintenance, look up, look out and locate overhead powerlines. Be especially aware of powerlines hidden by or in trees.
- Stay back three metres from overhead powerlines. Getting too close to powerlines can cause electricity to jump or “arc” to your body or tools. Have someone watch to ensure you stay at least three metres away from powerlines.
- Carry ladders sideways. Never carry ladders or other equipment upright because they may come in contact with or be too close to powerlines. Check for overhead powerlines before raising a ladder.
- Stay away from dangerous areas. Keep away from utility equipment in the community, and never climb utility poles. If a toy or tool is inside a transformer station, don’t climb in to get it yourself. Call GrandBridge Energy for help if you see children playing around powerlines. Customers in Brantford should call 519-751-3522. Customers in Cambridge, North Dumfries and the County of Brant should call 1-877-871-2215.
- Call or click before you dig. Powerlines are also buried underground. At least two weeks before starting any digging projects, click or call Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 or www.OntarioOneCall.ca to request a free underground cable locate, including natural gas, communications, powerlines, and water/wastewater pipes.
- Plant trees away from overhead powerlines. Plant trees away from overhead powerlines to avoid them growing into powerlines. Do not prune trees around powerlines. If trees have already grown into powerlines, contact GrandBridge Energy. Customers in Brantford should call 519-751-3522. Customers in Cambridge, NorthDumfries and the County of Brant should call 1-877-871-2215.
- Talk to your kids about powerline safety. Help children find safe spaces to play away from utility poles, powerlines, and transformer stations. Remind them never to climb trees near powerlines because leaves and branches can hide the live wires. Green transformer boxes in the neighbourhood are not toys and are unsafe places to play.
- Watch for downed powerlines. If wires fall on a vehicle or the ground, always assume they are alive and energized. Stay in the vehicle, call 9-1-1 and GrandBridge Energy. Customers in Brantford should call 519-751-3522. Customers in Cambridge, North Dumfries and the County of Brant should call 1-877-871-2215. Keep everyone back at least 10 metres or 33 feet – the length of a full-sized school bus.
Powerline Safety Tips on Construction Sites:
- Locate powerlines. Electricity can jump to you, your equipment, and your vehicle if you’re too close to a powerline. Identify all powerlines on the job site and ensure people and equipment stay at least three metres away to avoid an accident.
- Use a signaller. Drivers of dump trucks and other high-reach vehicles must use a signaller to be sure equipment does not come within three metres of overhead powerlines. Make sure that dump trucks lower their boxes after dumping their loads.
- Stay alert! Many accidents happen when workers are tired or rushing to finish a job at the end of the day.For more information to keep you and your family safe around overhead powerlines, please visit the Electrical Safety Authority website.
To learn more about GrandBridge Energy, visit grandbridgeenergy.com.
