By Richard Omokri Chairman Rivers State Branch Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria

PREAMBLE:  Fatalities over 50 in Nigeria  Permanent and partial disabilities – circa 150  Foremost is promising Oluchi Anekwe of Unilag on the 8 th of Sept 2015

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 /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

 Poor Infrastructure?  Lack of knowledge / Competencies?  Poor or no enforcement of regulations, codes?  Lack of awareness

Take a cue from Management systems - OHSAS section Competence, Training & Awareness Section Communication, participation and consultation

Discos/Gencos / Transico (public and private organisations), Electricity companies, Contractors to ensure all personnel are;  Competent  Able 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 inspections  Able to Carry out work processes quality test.

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 PPE  Trained on effective communication and work planning.

Awareness should be focused on three groups of people and these should be:  Workers  Public  Government  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, s 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 connection All these can be done by the Stakeholders in partnership with ISPON, Govt.

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.