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06/06/2003
NIE urge ‘be aware’ of overhead power cables
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) have urged contractors to be aware of overhead electricity lines.
The warning message from NIE follows a serious incident in the Ardmore and Tullyalley areas on Wednesday June 4, when the bucket of an excavator working at a landfill site hit and damaged a high voltage overhead line, causing the loss of electricity supplies to over 680 customers.
Engineers had restored power to the majority of customers within an hour, but a small number of customers in the area were not reconnected until 4.50pm while engineers made a permanent repair.
NIE Customer Relations Manager for the area, Christine Baker, said the incident could have had fatal consequences: “Our safety equipment activated as soon as the bucket of the digger made contact with the overhead line and luckily no-one was injured or killed. However, we would urge anyone working in the vicinity of overhead lines to take the necessary safety precautions – our message is clear – Look up, look out and stay a safe distance away when working near overhead lines.
“With good working practices the number of faults of this sort could be radically reduced. It is NIE that people look to when their electricity goes off and we feel it is appropriate that the worst offenders are held up to account for the problems they cause for our customers and us.”
NIE said that contractors should phone 08457 643 643 to report any damage to electricity equipment or to seek information about working in the vicinity of overhead or underground cables.
(SP)
The warning message from NIE follows a serious incident in the Ardmore and Tullyalley areas on Wednesday June 4, when the bucket of an excavator working at a landfill site hit and damaged a high voltage overhead line, causing the loss of electricity supplies to over 680 customers.
Engineers had restored power to the majority of customers within an hour, but a small number of customers in the area were not reconnected until 4.50pm while engineers made a permanent repair.
NIE Customer Relations Manager for the area, Christine Baker, said the incident could have had fatal consequences: “Our safety equipment activated as soon as the bucket of the digger made contact with the overhead line and luckily no-one was injured or killed. However, we would urge anyone working in the vicinity of overhead lines to take the necessary safety precautions – our message is clear – Look up, look out and stay a safe distance away when working near overhead lines.
“With good working practices the number of faults of this sort could be radically reduced. It is NIE that people look to when their electricity goes off and we feel it is appropriate that the worst offenders are held up to account for the problems they cause for our customers and us.”
NIE said that contractors should phone 08457 643 643 to report any damage to electricity equipment or to seek information about working in the vicinity of overhead or underground cables.
(SP)
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19 December 2001
HSENI call for caution when working near power cables
The Health and Safety executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has renewed its call for strict controls to be put in place by contractors when working under live overhead power cables. The latest call follows the tragic death of a young construction worker on the M1 motorway on December 15.
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14 October 2004
NIE highlights electricity dangers
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) today issued a strong warning to all contractors, farmers and DIY enthusiasts to take the necessary safety precautions when working in the vicinity of overhead and underground electricity cables.
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04 June 2004
NIE issue warning to DIYers
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) today warned anyone undertaking DIY projects to take the location of the electricity network into account before starting work. The safety warning follows an incident in Beragh, Co Tyrone where a man received an electric shock when the ladder he was carrying came into contact with the high voltage overhead line.
NIE issue warning to DIYers
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) today warned anyone undertaking DIY projects to take the location of the electricity network into account before starting work. The safety warning follows an incident in Beragh, Co Tyrone where a man received an electric shock when the ladder he was carrying came into contact with the high voltage overhead line.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
