Linemen’s death: No lessons learnt

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 21

Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) officials and other employees seem to have learnt no lessons from the deaths of field staff in the past after they fell from electricity poles as the linemen can still be seen working without wearing safety equipment.

At least four linemen died in 2015 on separate instances when they fell off electricity poles. Three of them died in September. In three of the four cases, an accidental shock from wires had led to the fall.

The safety kits prescribed for the field duty employees include safety belts and plastic gloves.

The corporation officials claim to have ample number of safety kits but they say employees never demand the same.

However, when many accidents have already occurred resulting in loss of life, is it not mandatory for the department to issue instructions to all employees to get these kits issued and use them while they are on duty.

Even after so many accidents in the past, the employees of the corporation were seen rectifying a snag on Lawrence Road with their bare hands. Though the electricity supply to the area where the maintenance work has to be undertaken is cut off, chances of a wire from another line coming in contact with the line which is being worked on cannot be ruled out, especially when three deaths have occurred due to the same reason.

An official of the power corporation on condition of anonymity said: “There is need for a training session for employees on working with safety equipment. Usually, men are used to work with bare hands as with gloves they do not feel comfortable. The department is required to get more serious on safety issues.”

Training session needed: Official 

An official of the power corporation on condition of anonymity said: “There is need for a training session for employees on working with safety equipment. Usually, men are used to work with bare hands as with gloves they do not feel comfortable. The department is required to get more serious on safety issues.”