By Richard OmokriChairman Rivers State Branch

Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria

THE ROLE OF SAFETY IN THE

NIGERIAN ELECTRICITY

INDUSTRY

THE ROLE OF SAFETY IN THE NIGERIAN ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY

PREAMBLE:

Fatalities over 50 in Nigeria

Permanent and partial disabilities – circa 150

Foremost is promising Oluchi Anekwe of Unilag on the 8th of Sept 2015

SAFETY ?

CUSTODIAN OF SAFETY

The Institute of Safety Professionals is the foremost body recognized by Law to maintain a registered of Safety professionals of Nigeria, set standards and curriculum with regards to HSE and regulate the training needs of Nigeria with respect to HSE.

REGULATIONS / STAKEHOLDERS & THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES

REGULATIONS /CODES

Factories Act 1990 – Reference to all parts and a bias to Part ii to vii

NERC Health and Safety Code. Version 1.0, 2014 – the health and safety code has placed a prime burden on DISCOs to formulate and implement safe work systems for their operations.

Company/DISCOs operational systems as stipulated in the NERC Electricity health and Safety code

Government

General Public

What are the Challenges?

Poor Infrastructure?

Lack of knowledge / Competencies?

Poor or no enforcement of regulations, codes?

Lack of awareness

What would be the Role of Safety and its strategies

Take a cue from Management systems -

OHSAS 18001 section 4..4.2 Competence, Training & Awareness

Section 4.4.3 Communication, participation and consultation

COMPETENCE

Discos/Gencos / Transico (public and private organisations), Electricity companies, Contractors to ensure all personnel are;

CompetentAble to supervise workers - supervisors

Able To operate machinery and equipment – forklift, cranes, portable tools and equipment

Able to ensure integrity of equipment and processes – pre, post inspectionsAble to Carry out work processes quality test.

TRAINING

Discos/Gencos / transico (public and private organisations), Electricity companies, Contractors to ensure all personnel are;

Trained ;To have first hand knowledge of the equipments /materials they work with.On the use of best practices /Safe work procedures to carry out their work – risk assessments, job hazard analysis, LOTO, PTW Application, handling of hazardous substances, MSD, selection and use of appropriate PPETrained on effective communication and work planning.

AWARENESSAwareness should be focused on three groups of people and these should be:

WorkersPublicGovernment

Awareness should be on:What Electricity is and its components –To All

Differences in electricity equipment that are situate at public area – what lines / poles are HT/LT, transmission lines, domestic feeds, transformer capacities to guide

for overload.

The dos and don’ts around electrical installations.Warning signs on transmission lines, substations,

transformers {place warning signs}

Communication channels to be publicized (tel nos, e-mails e.t.c.)

Use of Mass Media, For Jingles, playlets, warnings

Direct Awareness – road shows, and on the spot awareness talks with Traders, Market Association, motor parks and neighbourhood talks (especially densely populated areas where the tendency for direct tapping of lights from the high tension is rampant).

Use of Educational Workshops, geared towards tradesmen and artisans – as they are the ones that will always get on the pole or do any illegal connectionAll these can be done by the Stakeholders in partnership with ISPON, Govt.

Enforcement – a key factor

The Government through the various regulatory bodies. E.g. Min of Lands of Survey, Min of Works, Min of Labour, Min of Power should be all out to enforce electricity regulations, the safe distance to keep from public electrical installations e.g. high tension wires.

The use of certified electricians to carry out work on any project.