SAFETY FIRST.

Shannon News, 17 December 1926, Page 3

SAFETY FIRST.

POWER BOARD'S POLICY. RISKS RUN BY LINESMEN. Consideration was given by the Horowhenua Power Board yesterday \ to the risks entailed by men working on uncovered-wires. The subject was introduced by a letter from the StateAccident Insurance office, which followed upon a conference between the branch manager and the Board's Engineer. In his letter, the branch manager stated that the matter of observation of its own regulations* by the Public Works Department was being gone into, and new regulations were to be issued, "We are surprised at the fact that you have commenced work on live bare wires," the writer continued. "In the event of an accident, probably heavy damages would be awarded." He asked the Board to use every effort to see that the regulations were c-ai ried out in their entirety. If a suitable raised and insulated platform was used, th° lines need not v be disconnected. He understood that the work in the Iforowhenua Board's district did not permit of the use of a raised platform, and he would like an assurance that the wires would be'disconnected when work was to be done on them.

The Board's engineer (Mr J. A. Smith) said that the cla:'S- in question in the Public Works regulations, was generally taken to refer to men engaged in changing wires or working up among the wires, and not merely connecting a house service under the wires. Now that the matter had been pointed out he had issued orders to the men not to Avork on any live bare wires at all. In the Borough connections had been made with the :>are wire; but ac cording to the regulations this did not count at all, though it was more dangerous than other parts of the work. He had taken the matter up with the Engineers' Association, and asked them if they had taken any action, especially in connection with the new regulations to be issued by the. Public Works Department. It was going to be very inconvenient if the Board had to cut off a whole section very time it put .in a new service.' He might have to cut off a dairy factory or hold up people's cooking operations, in order to put ,on a two-light installation. In regard to an insulated platform, this was a device introduced on acc6unt of tramway work in the cities.

The chairman said it would be as well ! for all consumers to know what the Beard was doing to protect their interests. The Board could not afford to take any risk in the matter; it was better to have a little inconvenience for a timei The warning had been issued, and the Board should heed it. He thought the .engineer should follow the course of action which he advised them he was taking. Mr Vincent asked if the safety belt was worn by the men in all cases of overhead work. Mr Smith said that some Boards insisted on its use, but others made it optional. This Board practically insisted on it in all cases. It was better for a man to risk being hung up above then to be thrown off a ladder and have his neck broken.

It was decided to reply to the Stati Insurance office, stating that the Board was carrying out the recommendation of that Department. . ,- • «