WYNYARD, Sask. – An accident that resulted in the amputation of a farm worker’s hands two-and-a-half years ago has resulted in a fine for the employer, according to an Aug. 1 news release from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety. The incident occurred on Jan. 18, 2015, in the rural municipality of Barrier Valley No. 397 in eastern Saskatchewan, where an employee of Echo Lake Farms Ltd. was driving a post-pounder near overhead power lines, the Ministry stated. The vehicle contacted the power lines, resulting in serious injury to the worker. The employer later pleaded guilty at Wynyard Provincial Court to failing to ensure that workers and powered mobile equipment remained at least ten metres away from exposed energized electrical conductors. On July 24 of this year, Echo Lake Farms was ordered to pay a fine of $20,000, including a $5,714.28 surcharge. “Anyone working near overhead power lines should always be watchful and aware,” the release advised. “If you contact a power line, immediately call [SaskPower] and stay where you are until help arrives.”