A campaign to cut the number of deaths and injuries from electricity will reap massive benefits for workers, it was claimed today.
The joint Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and ESB strategy launched today aims to cut deaths by promoting safety in the construction and agricultural sectors when working with electricity and on ESB networks.
As part of the joint plan, two committees dealing with agriculture and construction will be set up to develop an action plan to cover the three-year alliance.
Mr Tom Beegan, HSA
Mr Tom Beegan, HSA chief executive, said workers and the general public had to be more aware of the dangers of ESB lines.
"All of us in the health and safety community are only too aware of the potential dangers that electricity and electricity infrastructure present to workers and the general public," he said.
"Both the HSA and the ESB are committed to promoting best practice when it comes to safety with electricity. It is an initiative that will pay dividends."
Mr Padraig McManus, ESB chief executive, said the programme was another step in the ongoing battle to improve safety.
"ESB continually works to promote public awareness around the safety of our networks," he said. "The establishment of the strategic alliance and the working groups will aid those plans with fresh thinking and positive interplay on the issue of public safety."
Figures from the HSA revealed two electrical workers were killed in 2003 and two other people died while working with electricity. There were no reported deaths of electrical workers last year.
PA