Eskom campaign highlights danger of illegal connections
The illegal connections draw more electricity from the network than anticipated, which causes power failures and inconveniences to law abiding paying customers.
Fatalities and injuries due to the unsafe use of electricity remains a major problem according to Eskom.
Most these incidents are related to contact made with electricity and illegal connections and most disturbing is the fact that many of those killed or injured are children.
In an effort to reduce these public safety incidents, Eskom will embark on a week-long countrywide campaign, from August 22 to 28, to educate South Africans about using electricity safely and responsibly.
The major problem areas are the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo provinces.
During the annual Eskom National Electricity Safety Week, Eskom officials will be visiting certain parts of the country to engage with the public and highlight the dangers associated with the unsafe use of electricity.
The Eskom National Electricity Safety Week kicks off in Gauteng. The aim is to make communities aware of the basics of safe electricity usage and the risks associated with electricity theft, meter tampering, bypassing and illegal connections. The power utility wants people to know how to identify the dangers and what to do if or when they spot them.
“We occasionally get reports of people being injured or losing their lives as a result of the unsafe use of electricity. We want to get to a point where we eliminate all injuries and fatalities caused by electricity and are going to the communities to ask them to help us in this fight,” said Corporate Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Senior Manager at Eskom, Jace Naidoo.
“We are aware of the biggest causes of these incidents and would like to appeal to our consumers to assist us by avoiding connecting illegally or making contact with low-hanging cables.”
Through this campaign, Eskom also seeks to encourage residents to report any unsafe conditions or connections they come across by calling 08600 ESKOM (37566).
This includes any cases of dangerously exposed or low hanging cables, illegal connections, vandalism, cable theft and so on.
“In the case of illegal connections, danger is posed not only to the people who connect to the Eskom network illegally, but also to the rest of their communities.
“Moreover, the illegal connections draw more electricity from the network than anticipated, which causes power failures and inconveniences to law abiding paying customers,” explained Naidoo.
Eskom wants to remind all South Africans that, although electricity is an essential part of life, it can be dangerous if not used correctly.
It is always advisable to get a qualified electrician to do any electrical connections or repairs.
Only authorised Eskom employees and contractors are permitted to work on all Eskom structures.
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