Over 20 linemen get electrocuted every year in Kashmir
Rihaab Shah
Srinagar, Mar 12 (KINS): There has been increase in tragic incidents in which Kashmir Power Development Corporation (KPDC) linemen mostly casual labourers either get electrocuted or become permanently handicapped.
A KPDC lineman died after electrocuted in Zakoora area on Wednesday.
Insiders of the KPDC told Kashmir In- Depth News Service (KINS) that thousands of men who work as need-based or casual workers in the KPDC are always on the forefront in case of any emergency. But when any of these linemen meets a tragic accident, they are never owned by the KPDC and their families are left to fend for themselves.
Everyone knows that the work of a lineman is dangerous and many have died on the job, yet the government is not paying any heed to safety measures.
“Linemen work involves high precision where even a small uncoordinated movement can lead to an accident. At that time, it’s the safety gear like helmet, gloves, shoes and clothing with extra layer of protection, which can mean the difference between life and death for them. But it’s a common sight to see them on poles without any safety gear,” said an official of KPDC.
Sources said that during the last two years scores of persons died on spot while repairing the transmission lines. “At present, there are 550 need-based linemen registered in the valley working in the KPDC.
The sources said that every year at least 20 appointees/employees get severely injured with some of them ending up with amputation of arms or legs due to severe burns every year in Kashmir.
Sources said that there has been no formal training for the linemen working on power distribution network. “Formal training is vital for the KPDC lineman. For this, it’s mandatory for the department to have Linemen training school. Our linemen and the daily-wagers who work on the power supply network have themselves learnt the deadly job of installing and repairing the live system,” said one of the experts in KPDC.
Experts say, “Linemen need to wear helmets, safety gloves (tested to withstand particular voltages, safety belts and a proper uniform of some conspicuous color (preferably fluorescent). Besides, the linemen should have properly insulted tools and at the top it the ladder he climbs should be robust. There should be at-lest two men supporting the ladder with a red flag nearby to caution the passer-by. Otherwise, how can safety be maintained?”
However KPDC blames linemen of not maintaining the safety lines.
“We’ve everything like safety kit, give training, organize awareness programmes and show heart-wrenching pictures to employees, but they take it for granted,” a senior official of the KPDC said.
The KPDC he says, warned the linemen even suspended some permanent employees for not taking safety equipment with them while going to repair something.(KINS)