MY SAFETY MY RESPONSIBILITY
Electricity is our most useful energy resource, and we depend on it for nearly everything we do. It drives the wheels of the nation’s economy and powers smart technologies that enhance our quality of life.
Electricity is a potentially dangerous product when not properly handled. Electrical accidents can cause serious injury and lead to loss of life and property. Therefore one must take precaution when handling electricity to minimize the risk of electrical accidents.
The following are some of the common causes of electrical accidents and what can be done to avoid them.
UNSAFE WIRING
Poor wiring is a common cause of electrical fires that may result in serious injury, loss of life and property.
• Use qualified electricians to wire your premises.
• Use proper and recommended wiring materials; avoid using materials such as telephone cables and plastic paper for insulation.
• Ensure regular inspection and maintenance of your premises wiring system to check for wear and tear of insulation and make replacement when needed.
• Switch off appliances whenever power goes off.
• Acquire and install surge protectors and fuses to protect your electrical appliances and equipment during power surges.
• Avoid using faulty electrical appliances, sockets and plugs, replace them.
• Avoid overloading your electricity supply system.
DO NOT CONSTRUCT STRUCTURES AND UNDERTAKE ACTIVITIES UNDER ZESCO POWERLINES
Settlement or undertaking any activities under high voltage power lines such as vending and stone crushing are illegal and unsafe.
The dangers associated with such acts are that if the power line towers collapse, the high voltage electricity cables would be brought near or touch the ground resulting in sparks that would burn or electrocute anyone in its path or set alight any material or property.
Construction of structures under the power line not only interferes with the operations of the power lines but is very dangerous because all person operating within or near the structure are at risk of electrocution.
DO NOT LIGHT FIRES UNDER OR CLOSE TO POWER LINES
This could burn and damage the poles and bring down power lines.
Report all fallen power lines to ZESCO immediately. Temporarily barricade them to keep away children and protect them from electrocution. Children are usually attracted to fallen or hanging wires and are therefore at high risk.
Do not tie laundry lines to electricity poles.
If a high loaded vehicle has to cross under the power lines, contact ZESCO so that arrangements could be made to switch off the line to facilitate crossing.
Do not cut trees that are under power lines. Inform ZESCO to facilitate the cutting.
TAMPERING WITH ZESCO INSTALLATIONS (THEFT)
Tampering with ZESCO installations through acts of vandalism to steal ZESCO equipment such as transformer oil, cables and pylon support materials is illegal and unsafe and can cause serious injury even death.
ILLEGAL CONNECTIONS AND EXTENSION OF POWER SUPPLY (THEFT OF ELECTRICITY)
Illegal connection and extension of power supply is dangerous and compromises the quality of supply in affected areas.
Illegal power connections are unsafe and normally constitute the following:
• By-passing or interfering with meters to falsify readings
• Tapping power in neighbouring premises
• Tapping power directly from overhead distribution power lines
• Electrifying fences or metal grills without notifying ZESCO
• Using illegal lines to reconnect power supply
HOME MADE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
There are a lot of dangers associated with assembling and using home made electrical appliances. These dangers include electric shock and electrocution normally resulting from poor wiring and lack of fusing. Cookers and water heaters are the most commonly used home made electrical appliances. These are mainly used in boarding schools, colleges and camps.
POOR WIRING
There are laid down standards that should be adhered to when wiring any electrical appliance such as a cooker, but these are not adhered to when assembling home made electrical appliances. The result is exposure to electric shock and electrocution of the user of the appliance even innocent children around the house.
LACK OF FUSING
A fuse is a device that can limit the current flowing to any appliance or circuit. For example a fuse designed to carry an electric current of five amps will melt if a current of more than five amps passes through it. When the fuse melts, the circuit is broken.
Home made appliances normally lack the use of a plug with a fuse; instead bare wires are inserted into the socket outlet. If the appliance developed a fault, the user would not be protected from electric shock and electrocution.
QUICK RESPONSE
Report all electrical safety hazards and accidents
To ZESCO National Call Center (24 Hours Daily)
On the following numbers:
Airtel: 0977 013636 or 322
MTN: 0966 363636 OR 322
Zamtel: 211 363636
NOTE
IF THE POWER GOES OUT WHILE YOU
ARE USING AN APPLIANCE BE SAFE
AND DISCONNECT THE APPLIANCE AT
THE SOCKET OUTLET.
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