‘Can arc several feet’: Sask. fire chief advises caution following boom lift electrocution

WATCH: A Dalmeny man was injured while working near a 25 kilovolt power distribution line on Friday.

A Dalmeny man was injured Friday while working near a 25-kilovolt power distribution line — apparently while trying to prune some trees.

In the early afternoon, Dalmeny Fire Rescue was called to respond to a possible electrocution in town.

“Initially, we thought it was going to be a medical call,” said Chief Tom Moody, Dalmeny Fire Rescue.

“But we realized that the operator that had contacted a power line was still in a man lift 30 feet off the ground. So we responded with two rescue units and an engine.”

Moody says it appears the man was pruning a tree before the incident.

“I don’t know what movement there was in the man lift at the point that he contacted the line,” said Moody.

“But with a high-voltage line such as that, you don’t even have to contact the line to get electrocuted. They will arc up to several feet away from the power line, depending on the situation.”

After making verbal contact with the man, Moody says they instructed him to stay put due to the still-energized power line nearby.

“He was able to sit up and we were able to caution him to stay very still, because any movement of the man lift could possibly cause a second contact with the energized line.”

Warman Fire Department was called to help, and SaskPower was contacted to shut down the power before the patient could be rescued.

The patient’s condition is unknown.

“We didn’t have direct patient contact because Medavie Ambulance was on scene to take charge of the patient once he was down on the ground,” Moody told CTV News. “But we understand that he had suffered some burns, and he is still in hospital.”

Medavie Ambulance says it can’t comment on specific cases due to confidentiality, but did respond to a request for comment.

“We can confirm that our team responded to a call on May 2, 2025 regarding an electrocution. The patient was transported to Royal University Hospital. We are not able to provide any further comment at this time.”

Moody says the incident serves as a reminder to take extra caution around power lines.

“Treat power lines with great respect,” he said. “Like I said earlier, they can arc several feet, the higher voltage lines so you don’t have to come in direct contact with them for them to cause you harm.”

SaskPower agrees.

“Contact or near-contact with electrical equipment and power lines is extremely dangerous,” reads a statement from SaskPower. “Individuals working in or near SaskPower rights-of-way (ROW) are reminded to always keep a safe distance from power lines and other equipment.* Exercise caution when crossing through the ROW with vehicles or equipment, and do not trim tree branches away from power lines yourself.”

SaskPower says for context, the safe distance from a distribution line typically found in neighbourhoods is at least three metres. The recommended safe distance from transmission lines, which may be multi-pole structures and high voltage, is at least 6 metres.

SaskPower says it will trim tree branches on homeowners’ property if they pose a threat to public safety or SaskPower equipment. Residents can learn more and “request a tree trimming assessment” through the SaskPower website.