Accidents waiting for a place to happen
Readers wanted to know, yet again, the reasons for the state of affairs.
The Highvelder has recently received many calls regarding the open substations and kiosks on the pavements of Ermelo and surrounding areas.
This prompted the newspaper to visit a few of these points of supply (kiosks) to investigate.
All over town and in Kerk Street kiosks and substations are unlocked and some are even standing with its doors wide open.
Electrical regulations as determined the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) are very clear on the design, installation and maintenance of all electrical apparatus.
The DME regulations state that reasonable measures must be taken to ensure that no person suffers any electrical shock or electrocution because of exposure to current flow or inadvertently coming into contact with exposed parts of any electrical apparatus.
However, many points of supply in Ermelo are not locked at all.
Readers wanted to know, yet again, the reasons for the state of affairs.
They asked whether it could be a lack of resources such as material, machinery and equipment, financial or budget restraints or a lack of supervision.
The Highvelder spoke to an electrical engineer who stressed the danger of these open and unlocked kiosks and substations.
The wires inside these boxes are alive and if a person touches it, they could be seriously injured or even killed.
“These are accidents waiting for a place to happen,” the engineer said.
In the suburbs, children walk and play around these dangerous areas.
According to the municipal spokesman, Mr Mandla Zwane, the municipality has appointed a company to fix and repair all electrical mini-stations (kiosks).
This company would have begun with their work on 21 November at the most critical ones in the main street.
He urged the public to take note that during these repairs, consumers might experience some electrical interruptions and that all electrical points and installations should be considered alive.
