Johannesburg – Eskom has warned political parties of the dangers associated with placing campaign posters for the August 3 local government elections on electricity poles and mini-substations.
“As is the norm with all elections, political parties have started embarking on campaigns to attract voters. Eskom has noted a very dangerous practice of placing campaign posters on electricity poles and mini-substations,” the parastatal said in a statement on Saturday.
“Eskom would like to remind all 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,” it said.
Only authorised personnel were allowed to climb or work on these structures. Section 15 (3) of the Electrical Machinery Regulations stated that “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 was not only a contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, but also put the lives of valuable employees and volunteers at risk. Should someone come into contact with electricity while attaching posters to electrical structures, parties would be be exposed to litigation, both from a criminal and civil liability point of view.
“Eskom cares about your safety and we request you to refrain from attaching posters to electrical structures and in that way avoid injury and loss of lives,” the statement said.
African News Agency