Goa was shocked & saddened to hear about the news of the unfortunate death of Goa Electricity Department staff Manoj Zambaulikar due to electrocution while on duty.
Almost 71 Humans & 30 Animals died between 2019 to 2024 due to electrocution.
Locals in Bicholim were rightly upset with the Electricity department’s lethargic approach to providing safety gear.
But what was even more shocking was the statement by Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes.
Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes said that after the mishap, a team of four senior officials were sent to the site to find its cause. Before undertaking the work the linesman had switched off the supply from both sides and a discharge rod was used.
“The accident occurred due to reverse supply from the inverter of the Fitness Factory. The company was using an inverter but the connection of the inverter was not proper. This happens because the switch is broken, disconnected or not repaired which can lead to a surge of the supply backwards,” he said.
So who is responsible for this Mr Stephen? What are the linemen supposed to do in such a situation? Are they supposed to go to every household and find out whether anyone has switched on the inverter?
In today’s world, everyone has at least a single battery inverter, so in this case, you as the chief engineer have to take up the responsibility for the mishap.
Making statements sitting in the air-conditioned cabins is easy. The senior officers must be also sent to teh site and do the work. This is when they will understand under what conditions they work and what safety equipment they get.
Interestingly, the top officers of every department are busy pleasing their political bosses and least bothered by the welfare of the department.
A young lad lost his life and in the name of compensation, only a few lakhs or jobs would be given to the family. What about the personal loss to Manoj’s family? Will they ever be able to forgive the Department officers?
Precautions needed…
Electrical linemen need to take several precautions to prevent electrocution when repairing power lines.
Some of these precautions include:
Wear insulated gloves and sleeves to protect against electric shock.
Using insulated tools to handle live wires and equipment.
Implementing proper lockout/tagout procedures to ensure that power sources are de-energized before work begins.
Maintaining a safe distance from live wires and equipment.
Following strict safety protocols and procedures established by their employers and regulatory agencies.
Undergoing extensive training in electrical safety and emergency response.
Testing the circuit to make sure it is de-energized. Even after turning off the power, it is important to test the circuit to make sure it is actually de-energized. A voltage tester can be used to do this.
Using lockout/tagout procedures. Lockout/tagout procedures are used to prevent someone from accidentally turning the power back on while the electrician is working
Being aware of the surroundings. Electricians should be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to avoid tripping or falling.
Having a second person present. In some cases, it is helpful to have a second person present when an electrician is working on electrical equipment. This person can help to watch out for hazards and provide assistance if needed.
These precautions are crucial for ensuring the safety of electrical linemen while working on power lines.
It is impossible to eliminate even the slightest chance of accidental electrocution but reducing it to the smallest risk is what extensive training, proper equipment, unrelenting diligence and proven procedures do.
With a profession as dangerous as this, it’s important to have many safety procedures in place.
