NEWS & UPDATES
SARAWAK ENERGY PUBLIC SAFETY REMINDER
KUCHING, 29TH SEPTEMBER 2017, FRIDAY: Sarawak Energy urges the public to practise extreme caution when working near any of its installations, especially high voltage power lines and substations to avoid getting hurt by electrocution or electrical flash-overs.
Electrical flash-overs occur when electricity ‘jumps’ without direct contact with power lines or conductors and can result in serious burns or tragic loss of lives. The safety clearance from overhead lines is at least 4.6m (15 feet).
Lu Yew Hung (卢友云), Sarawak Energy Group Chief Operating Officer, said, “For anyone doing work in the vicinity of any of our installations, we urge them to be extra vigilant and always keep a safe distance from any of our high voltage installations. Make sure to maintain safe clearance when working in the proximity of our lines to avoid getting hurt or worse."
Just recently in Kapit, an electrical flash-over incident claimed the life of an individual who was working close to the power utility's high voltage power lines.
"Safety is Sarawak Energy's top priority and one case is already one case too many, regardless of the circumstances.
"Staff and contractors are required to comply with Sarawak Energy's Life Saving Rules, a set of mandatory safety rules to ensure work is carried out in a safe manner and that no one gets hurt. We urge members of the public to be alert at all times and not take any chances when it comes to electrical safety," he said.
Contractors are also reminded to take precautionary measures before proceeding with works at locations where there are overhead and underground power lines running through. There have been incidences where heavy machinery and tall vehicles have gotten entangled with high voltage overhead power lines while excavation works have damaged underground cables.
"This can cause completely unnecessary power interruptions to customers and inconveniencing them but more importantly, put their workers' safety in jeopardy," Lu cautioned.
The power utility will continue to build awareness and deploy its safety officers to conduct safety briefings and provide contractors with relevant underground cable routes so as appropriate measures can be taken to avoid damaging the cables and disrupting supply.
Sarawak Energy has issued constant reminders through print media, radio campaigns, exhibitions, distribution of leaflets and also goes to schools to inculcate awareness and educate the public on the danger of electrical infrastructure and facilities.
Members of the public are urged to contact Sarawak Energy care line 1300-88-3111 if in doubt.
