Eskom is urging South Africans to report unsafe electricity connections and other electrical hazards as it marks Electricity Safety Month in August.
Eskom Senior Manager for Occupational Health and Safety, Miranda Moahlodi, warned that communities face serious risks from illegal connections, exposed or low-hanging wires, cable theft, infrastructure vandalism and attacks on electricity workers.
Eskom said it has recorded around 200 public safety incidents linked to electricity-related hazards, but believes many more go unreported because some communities protect illegal connections.
The power utility warned that poorly installed, overloaded and tampered electrical infrastructure is a major cause of fires in informal settlements and residential areas. Early reporting can help prevent fires, protect families, reduce unplanned outages and improve the safety and reliability of the electricity network.
Eskom is urging the public to follow its “See-Act-Immediately” approach. Anyone who spots a fallen or low-hanging wire, an open electrical box, damaged meter box, vandalised transformer or unsafe connection should move away, warn others and report the hazard immediately.
“Do not touch it, do not remove it, and most importantly, do not ignore it,” Eskom said.
The utility also warned that vandalism, cable theft and illegal electricity activities can cause prolonged outages, disrupt essential services and expose communities, employees and contractors to potentially fatal risks.
Electricity-related crime, illegal connections and unsafe electrical hazards can be reported to the Eskom Crime Line on 0800 11 27 22, by email at [email protected], or by SMS to 31090.
Eskom said reporting hazards could help prevent injuries, save lives and protect South Africa’s electricity infrastructure.
Eskom Senior Manager for Occupational Health and Safety, Miranda Moahlodi, warned that communities face serious risks from illegal connections, exposed or low-hanging wires, cable theft, infrastructure vandalism and attacks on electricity workers.
Eskom said it has recorded around 200 public safety incidents linked to electricity-related hazards, but believes many more go unreported because some communities protect illegal connections.
The power utility warned that poorly installed, overloaded and tampered electrical infrastructure is a major cause of fires in informal settlements and residential areas. Early reporting can help prevent fires, protect families, reduce unplanned outages and improve the safety and reliability of the electricity network.
Eskom is urging the public to follow its “See-Act-Immediately” approach. Anyone who spots a fallen or low-hanging wire, an open electrical box, damaged meter box, vandalised transformer or unsafe connection should move away, warn others and report the hazard immediately.
“Do not touch it, do not remove it, and most importantly, do not ignore it,” Eskom said.
The utility also warned that vandalism, cable theft and illegal electricity activities can cause prolonged outages, disrupt essential services and expose communities, employees and contractors to potentially fatal risks.
Electricity-related crime, illegal connections and unsafe electrical hazards can be reported to the Eskom Crime Line on 0800 11 27 22, by email at [email protected], or by SMS to 31090.
Eskom said reporting hazards could help prevent injuries, save lives and protect South Africa’s electricity infrastructure.