2025 USP Farmer Safety Breakfast Recap:

Ben King - Education & Awareness Committee, Utility Safety Partners

Over the last two weeks of February, USP Farmer Safety Breakfasts were held in Vermilion on February 19, Camrose on February 20, Rimbey on February 25, and Lethbridge on February 26, offering local farmers important safety information on a variety of topics. The events were marked by very interactive Q&A sessions, where attendees engaged directly with the speakers and experts to dive deeper into the world of working safely around utilities that serve Albertans every day.

In Vermilion, Louis Genest from the County of Vermilion River provided a session on recognizing and reporting underground pipeline damage caused by factors like heavy traffic and weather events. Mike Woloski from ATCO Electric discussed electrical line safety, covering risks, best practices, and new damage prevention programs. Tom Deck from TC Energy wrapped up the morning with a demonstration on how landowners can request a line locate and what to expect during the process.

In Camrose, Lyle Golby and Terris Jewell from Enbridge shared insights on the Click Before You Dig program, emphasizing the importance of proper locating before excavation. Mike Bellows from PVS presented best practices for utility locating in farmlands, and Larry Mackenzie from the CER highlighted agricultural safety when working around utilities, including key regulations for safe work around pipelines. Keith Thiessen from FORTIS Alberta gave an electrifying hands-on demonstration on overhead powerline safety using the Electric Hazard Board.

The Rimbey session on February 25 saw another line locating demonstration from Tom Deck, and Larry Mackenzie returned to cover agricultural safety around utilities and pipelines. Chris Stewart from Keyera offered a session on safe pipeline work practices, while Kelly Manchur from FORTIS Alberta demonstrated overhead powerline safety.

The Lethbridge event included further demonstrations from Tom Deck and Richard Humphries from FORTIS Alberta, along with a talk from Justin Edwards of Edwards Land about fostering strong landowner relationships. Brennan Beazer from Chief Mountain Gas concluded the series with a crucial presentation on safety around rural gas facilities.

We’re grateful to all the speakers for their engaging and informative presentations, which sparked valuable conversations and deepened the understanding of safety practices across farming communities. The USP Education & Awareness Committee looks forward to hosting more Utility Safety presentations in the future, continuing to support farmers with the knowledge and resources they need to stay safe on the job. Stay tuned for upcoming events and thank you to everyone who attended!