Contractor Causes Power Cut

01/08/2007

A large number of homes in Bangor were left without power last Friday morning (27th) as a result of a street lighting contractor damaging an underground electricity cable.  
 
The 11,000 volt underground electricity cable, running from a substation in Balloo Walk, was damaged when the third party street lighting contractor forced street lighting cabling through a NIE duct. Over 1,500 NIE customers in the Balloo, Ballyree and Willowbrooke Gardens area of Bangor lost electricity supply at 10.13am as a result.  
 
NIE engineers were able to restore blocks of customers to power very quickly with all customers restored within one hour. Permanent repairs were carried out later the same day and the following day, without disrupting electricity supplies to customers.  
 
Angelena Fusco, NIE Customer Relations Manager, warned that strong action would be taken against contractors who flout safety regulations. She said:  
 
“This sort of practice is highly dangerous. It is only through good fortune that the contractor wasn’t hurt when the street lighting cables were forced through the NIE duct. It looks like this was done to save the time and effort of creating tracking for a duct for the street lighting cables.  
 
“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. With safe working practices the number of these sorts of incident could be reduced.  
 
Angelena added: “Contractors should exercise extreme caution when working near underground cables. There is also a financial penalty for anyone who ignores safety guidelines, and NIE will continue to seek financial recompense from contractors and individuals who damage the electricity network.”  
 
Over 90,000 customers lost electricity supplies in the last year because of third party damage to the electricity network. There were over 1,780 incidences of third party damage to both the overhead and underground electricity network since April 2006. Although there has been a slight decrease in the number of damages, the number of injuries received as a result of contact with the electricity network has increased.  
 
NIE currently offers contractors a wide range of advice and assistance to help them avoid overhead and underground cables including advice leaflets, videos, cab safety stickers, maps and diagrams of the underground electricity network. Contact NIE on 08457 643 643 or for additional safety advice check the NIE website www.niesafety.co.uk  
 
Further information can also be obtained from the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland - HSE guidance notes GS6 (Avoidance of danger from overhead electric lines) and HSE booklet HS (G) 47 (Avoiding danger from underground services).  

Back to news stories.