Powermen work without safety gears in Zirakpur

Mohali: Deaths of their workers due to fall from towers or electrocution have failed to teach Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab State Power Transmission Limited (PSPTL) a lesson.

The power agencies have been risking the lives of the maintenance staff, who work without safety equipment.

Earlier this week, while erecting a 150 feet-high high-tension wire tower in Zirakpur for supporting the Ramgarh Bhudda grid line, the staff were seen working without safety harness and helmets. The workers were at a height of 45 to 60 feet.

As per the Safety and Electric Supply Regulation Act, 2010, the utility must ensure the safety of its employees, but the PSPCL failed to provide them even basic gears such as harness, gloves, gumboots, helmet, safety belt, testing rod, earth stick and tools for testing voltage.

Joint electricity regulatory commission (JERC), in April last year, had directed the department to purchase telescopic ladders, safety harnesses, helmets with headlights, hand gloves, auto lift platforms and other equipment for safety of men at work.

In 2019, five to six linemen had lost their lives on duty. In July last year, a lineman repairing a transformer at Lehli in Lalru was electrocuted.

Zirakpur executive officer Khushinder Singh did not respond on the issue.

Another senior officer at Zirakpur said, “The department is providing them safety gears, but it is for the contractor or labourer to use them.” He said the department does not have telescopic ladders, safety harnesses, helmets with headlights and even hydraulic ladders.

Mohali powermen union’s president Mohan Gill said around six fatal accidents had taken place in just five months last year in Mohali district due to non-availability of safety equipment. PSPCL executive engineer in Mohali said the Punjab government had recently announced an insurance policy of Rs 10 lakh for such victims and safety equipment were provided, but ground staff do not wear them.