Safety reminder : Electrical power lines

TOPIK: Electrical Power Lines

Overhead lines (power/telecom) run along land and waterways across the country.  Electricity can jump (arc) from power lines to other objects in an instant. Power lines carry considerable electrical current that can cause serious injury or even death if any part of your machinery touches or gets too close.

If a power line is knocked over it will continue to be ‘live’ until switched off by the local electricity company. Anything else in close contact with the power lines may also become ‘live’, such as fences and water.

People must stay away from power lines:

·       Treat all power lines as 'live' and therefore dangerous.

·       Immediately notify the electrical supply company of broken or damaged power lines.

·       On roads and public places, the police should be alerted.

·       Stay clear of all fallen tree limbs and power lines, and surrounding area if the power lines are touching water, puddles, vehicles, metal fences and other objects that can conduct electricity.

·       If possible, stay in your vehicle if safe to do so until it is verified that the power lines are no longer ‘live’.

·       Keep other people away from fallen power lines.

·       Be alert to the possibility that tree limbs or debris may hide an electrical hazard.

·       Watch out for dangling power lines.