Date:09/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/09/stories/2006110907960300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

`KSEB's poor modernisation leads to electrocutions'

Staff Reporter

`No quality equipment to tackle short circuit'

District-level safety committees not holding reviews

`Underground power cables not insulated properly'

ALAPPUZHA: Failure of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to modernise its electrical security systems is endangering the lives of its employees and the public leading to around 400 electrocutions in the State annually, Kerala Electricity Employees Confederation (INTUC) general secretary Sajeev Janardanan has said.

At a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr. Janardanan said the electrocution of a KSEB contract worker at Aroor on Tuesday while repairing a power line was the latest of such mishaps.

He said back feeding of power from a nearby factory, which uses high power generators, might have caused the mishap. But if the KSEB had electromagnetic sensing equipment, the presence of electricity could have been detected from the ground itself and the lineman could have avoided climbing the post.

He said the KSEB did not use quality equipment to stop power supply in case of short circuit and it was leading to electrocution. Mr. Janardanan claimed that the KSEB was not providing workers gloves, safety belts, insulated screwdrivers or testers.

No equipment

He said the KSEB did not even provide ladders to the linemen engaged in repair work. Mr. Janardanan said the district-level safety committees formed three years ago to ensure safety of workers and the public were not holding regular review meetings.

He said underground power cables in various municipalities were not properly insulated and could lead to catastrophes.