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NIE report massive increase in third party damage to network
Northern Ireland Electricity (NEI) has announced a “massive increase in damage” to the electricity network caused by contractors, farmers and others.
The damage has been to both overhead and underground electricity networks and NIE warn that ”strong action will be taken against contractors who flout safety regulations”.
There have been over 1800 incidences of damage to the electricity network across Northern Ireland since April 2005 often caused by contractors working near electricity equipment without the necessary information and safety precautions.
Roy Coulter, NIE Safety and Risk Manager said: “Any contact with live electricity equipment can result in a fatality and contractors must follow correct safety procedures to keep all those on site safe. Sadly, in the last year there have been over 25 serious injuries and one fatality following contact with the electricity network.”
He added: “Every contractor should familiarise himself with all services, electrical, gas, water and telephone present at a work location.” and work systems should ”follow the principles clearly laid out in our booklet – Safety Advice for Contractors“.
Ken Logan, Principal Inspector with HSENI said ”we will continue to work with NIE to help break the cycle of repeating the same type of accidents. We urge all contractors to ensure health and safety guidelines are strictly applied to all projects working in the vicinity of electricity equipment.”