Plastering mini-substations with election posters endangers lives , Eskom warns

Voting for government elections takes place on Wednesday, 3 August.

Political parties have started their campaigns to attract voters and Eskom has noted a very dangerous practice of placing campaign posters on electricity poles and mini-substations.

Eskom has warned political parties of the dangers associated with putting up election posters on electrical structures.

These structures are carrying live electrical equipment and conductors.

When someone gets close to them or touches them it may result in a flash-over or electrical contact.

This can cause serious injuries or even be fatal.

Only authorised personnel are allowed to climb or work on these structures.

According to regulations, “No person shall encroach in person or with an object on the minimum safety clearances prescribed in sub-regulation (1), or require or permit any person to do so except by permission of the supplier or user operating the powerline”.

Attaching posters to an electrical structure is not only a contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (No.85 of 1993), but also puts the lives of employees and volunteers at risk.

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