MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 13, 2019 /CNW/ – The invisible impact of powerlines should never be underestimated. In the past decade alone, 19 people in Ontario have lost their lives from overhead powerline contact. May 13 to 19 is Powerline Safety Week, which is meant to inform people across the province to stay vigilant of powerlines when doing work at home or on the job.
“Our work in raising awareness of powerline safety won’t be finished until there are zero injuries or lives lost from contact,” says Dr. Joel Moody, Chief Public Safety Officer, Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). “All it takes is a misstep or careless error to change the life of you, your colleagues or family.”
There have been 1,248 reported overhead powerline contacts in Ontario in the last ten years. Construction workers are at an especially high risk. Sixty per cent of powerline contacts have occurred on construction sites with dump trucks, the leading cause of contact. But accidents can happen easily at home too, even without powerline contact.
“Electricity can jump and activate areas up to 10 metres away from the source,” adds Moody. “Although simple work and yard tasks may seem danger-free, we encourage Ontarians to always look up and look out for overhead wires before beginning a project.”
ESA’s 2019 Powerline Safety Week campaign includes compelling digital and television advertising targeting both construction workers and homeowners; life-saving tips at esasafe.com/powerlinesafety; social media content aimed at educating Ontarians on the risks associated with powerlines; and partnerships with local electric utilities to help spread the powerline safety message.
5 Tips to #RespectThePower at Home:
5 Tips to #RespectThePower at Work:
Information on the Electrical Safety Authority can be found at www.esasafe.com, through Twitter @homeandsafety and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ElectricalSafetyAuthority.