Contractor Causes Power Cut

26/03/2007

Homes and businesses around Forestside Shopping Centre were left without electricity on Friday morning (23rd) when a contractor severed a high voltage underground Northern Ireland Electricity cable.  
 
The contractor, who was excavating sewer ducts at a bus terminal at the bottom of the Glencreagh Road off the Knock duel carriageway, carelessly cut the underground cable resulting in a power cut to 1,076 NIE customers in the Rosetta road area at 11.27am.  
 
NIE engineers were able to re-route local electricity supplies to restore all customers to power within one hour. Permanent repairs were carried out later the same day without disrupting electricity supplies to customers.  
 
Valerie Curran, Belfast NIE Customer Relations Manager warned that strong action will be taken against contractors who flout safety regulations. She said:  
“This incident caused unnecessary inconvenience to local homes and businesses and was potentially very dangerous to the contractor concerned. With safe working practices the number of these sorts of incident could be reduced. I cannot stress strongly enough the need for caution when working near electricity equipment - electricity can kill if it is not treated with respect and safety procedures followed.  
 
“Contractors should contact NIE on 08457 643 643 in good time requesting information about electrical equipment in the vicinity of their work. NIE will issue a ‘mark up’ drawing, free of charge, detailing all the information we have on electrical equipment in the area where work is to be carried out.  
 
Valerie added: “Contractors should exercise extreme caution when working near underground cables, using safe working practices such as digging trial holes and digging by hand to avoid any damage to or alteration of the location of the cable.”  
NIE currently offers contractors a wide range of advice and assistance to help them avoid underground cables including advice leaflets, videos and maps and diagrams of the underground electricity network. Contractors should also check www.niesafety.co.uk for additional safety advice.  

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