Safety comes first, always.

• Always be on the lookout for fallen or sagging wires, especially after storms.
• Stay at least 10 metres away from downed power lines or damaged facilities.
• Notify ATCO immediately. Call 867-633-7000
• Keep everyone away from the area.

If you hit a power line with your vehicle:

• Break the contact, if you can. Drive at least 10 metres away.
• Stay put and keep others 10 metres back.
• Call 911 for help.
• If you must exit your vehicle, JUMP. Then shuffle or hop with your feet together. Don’t step!
• Don’t touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. 

Planting a tree, building a deck or digging a pond? Before you start, call us at 867-633-7000 to mark the location of underground power lines. It’s a free service.

Your yard and property may have underground power lines running underground, and they may be closer to the surface than you think. As soil moves, changes or erodes, a line can be just a few inches below the surface.

Steps to Safe Digging:

1. Call Before You Dig. Call us at 867-633-7000 to request the location of underground power lines in your work area be marked. This is a free service. Call us at least 5-7 days before you start digging during the busy spring/summer construction season. The approximate location of underground power lines will be marked with red flags or temporary paint.
2. Plan Your Work Area: Avoid digging within one metre of either side of the locate markings if possible.  
3. Dig Safely: If you must dig near the markings, dig gradually and carefully with a shovel.

You can face serious consequences for hitting a power line, including loss of service to your homes, paying expensive repair costs and serious injury or fatality.

Working near power lines can be extremely dangerous. When planning your work, driving large equipment or moving a tall load, be sure to look up and live.  Always stay at least 7 metres back of overhead power lines.

If you contact a power line, follow these steps to stay safe:  

1. Move the equipment away from the power line to break contact and call local emergency services to report the incident.
   
2. If contact can’t be broken, remain on the machine and call local emergency services. If there is no other immediate danger, the safest place for you to be is on the machine. Warn anyone nearby to stay back at least 10 meters back.
   
3. If there is a fire, jump off the machine with both feet together. Never touch the machine and the ground at the same time.
   
4. Once clear of the machine, shuffle away, never allowing the heel of one foot to move beyond the toe of the other. Do this until you’re at least 10 metres (33 feet) away. Call emergency personnel to report the incident.

Working near power lines can be extremely dangerous.  If you are planning any work or recreation close to power lines, be sure to review the following important safety information.

Follow these 7 simple steps to stay safe around power lines:

• Stay 10 meters (33 feet) back of any downed power line
• Always ask yourself, Where’s the Line?
• Know your limits
  • Stay at least 7 metres back when working or playing nearing overhead power lines.
  • For more information about safe working distances, contact Yukon Occupational Health and Safety at 867-667-5645 or 1-800-661-0443.
  • According to Yukon OH&S Code, if equipment in your work area could come closer than the minimum distances, you must contact us before beginning work. Call us at 867-633-7000.
• Stay at least 10 metres (33 feet) away from equipment or machinery operating around power lines. This way, if the machinery does come into contact with the power line, you won’t be in the electricity’s path to ground.
• Shuffle or hop, don’t step.
  • If your machine contacts an overhead power line, move it away from the line to break contact.
  • If contact can’t be broken, remain on the machine and call local emergency services.
  • If there is a fire, jump off the machine with both feet together. Never touch the machine and the ground at the same time.
  • Once clear of the machine, shuffle away, never allowing the heel of one foot to move beyond the toe of the other. Do this until you’re at least 10 metres (33 feet) away.
• Call Before You Dig: call us to mark the location of underground power lines.
• Don’t become a victim 
  • Always assume a downed power line is energized and stay at least 10 metres back.
  • If someone is injured in an electrical accident, stay back and call your emergency services right away. Do not approach the victim.

Approach distances for unqualified workers - Underground

Approach distances for unqualified workers - Overhead

We hope your holiday season is merry and bright. During the holidays and always, please remember to use electricity safely.

• Inspect all cords and lights before use and replace any that are damaged or old.
• Protect cords from damage. Cords should never be pinched by furniture, forced into small spaces such as doors or windows, placed under rugs, located near heat sources or attached by nails or staples.
• Only use or buy decorations for the intended use: outdoors or indoors.
• Purchase electrical products that display a label indicating it has undergone independent testing by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
• When it comes to hanging outdoor lights, look up to ensure the ladder you are using is clear of any power lines. 
• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness to decrease fire risk.
• Do not use metallic ornaments on your tree to reduce the risk of shock.
• Do not overload electrical outlets.
• Turn off all indoor and outdoor holiday lighting before leaving the house or going to bed.
• Never allow children to play with lights, electrical decorations or cords.