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Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1922, Page 2

A circular, letter dealing with the subject of fatal accidents from live electric wires and stressing the necessity of gunrriinK iust such <x*<*iirrenccs in every possible way, lias been sent out to electrical engineers by Mr Lawrence Kirks, Chief Government Electrical Engineer. During the course of his letter Mr Kirks says:—Such accidents must, of course, be guarded against at anv time, and with the increasing use of high pressure transmission it- is quite probable that the number of fatal accidents will increase, but this only hem dent it the more important thltt all possible precautions should be taken to avoid sneb accidents. Each accident, of course, occurs from unforseen circumstances. but it is the duty of every responsible engineer to definitely try to foresee any such combination of circumstances in bis system which could possibly bring ji limit a fatal accident duo to causes which have so resulted in other places or til circumstances peculiar to his own system. In particular the greatest care must be exercised to avoid accidents at low pressures down as low as t?3O volts, which have lieen fatal in many eases and to which the public are particularly susceptible, owing to the impression gained that such pressures are quite safe. No record of a fatal accident fof- doinfcstle appliances has lieen received (luring the past twelve months, and it is trusted tli: t this immunity will he maintained, although several instances are on record indicating that it is essential that every engineer must be constantly on the alertto avoid an accident with fatal results. A frequent ‘safety first’ campaign amongst consumers would assist in warning then! of the dangers of defective apparatus or amateur workmanship. On outdoor lines set-end fatal, cases liaVC heCil dub to falls resulting bn a low pressure shook, and every workman. however experienced must lie warned frequently to guard against the poss ihilitv of such falls, and to make use of lower waggons, platforms or safety holts whenever working on live circuits. even at low pressure. Revbrnl fatal accidents have also lieen due to ignorance by the public of the existence of high pressure wires. The marking of high pressure poles in accordance with the regulations is very essential, and engineers sNuihl not be satisfied with a bare compliance with the regulations. but should take every possible opportunity of educating the public on tne ris' s involved, and impressing them upon their own staff. In addition to the ‘danger live wire’ notice, fuller notices. describing the risks involved.' should be placed at prominent positions on all electric supply distribution systems. The following is a copy of a pro. posed regulation which will lie incorporated in the next issue of electric lines regulation: “Where any accident by explosion or fire or any othe r accident of such kind as to have caused info be likely to have caused loss of life or personal injury, or i c an interruption exceeding twelve hours’ duration lias occurred at ally part of an electric line or work the licensee shall give immediate notice thereof to the Minister together with a report of th e steps taken to prevent a recurrence of the steps taken to prevent a. recurrence of same.’ ”