Electrocution deaths, a setback to economy

By Lalin Fernandopulle

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the regulator of utilities in the country, has embarked on an islandwide program to create awareness and bring down the number of deaths caused by electrocution as it affects the economy.

The number of deaths due to electrocution had risen from around 130 in 2008 to around 180 in 2012 showing a growing trend in the number of deaths caused by electrocution.

PUCSL Director General Damitha Kumarasinghe said that the number of deaths due to electrocution dropped to 13 up to March 31 this year and the number of deaths slumped to 76 in 2013 following the awareness campaign launched in 2012.

The PUCSL hopes to reduce the number of deaths from electrocution to around 60 by the end of this year and then to around 20 by 2020.

He said that the number of deaths as a result of electrocution is around 20 in developed countries. The reasons for deaths due to electrocution are illegal tapping of power from main distribution lines, electric fences to stop animals from destroying crops, improper domestic and industrial installations which include defective trip switches, use of sub-standard material and installation by unskilled workers, power line clearance and constructions in close proximity to main power lines.

Kandy, Ratnapura, Anuradhapura, Ampara and Vavuniya top the list of deaths caused due to illegal power tapping and falling victim to live wires set up to protect crops from animals.

The highest number of deaths are those in the age group of 20-60 which accounts for around 75 percent of the deaths. Males account for over 85 percent of the deaths which are high from April to November, according to a PUCSL study. He said that PUCSL conducts electrical safety awareness programs at the Ceylon Electricity Board, Lanka Electricity Company, schools, hospitals, police stations and Local Government institutions, factories, off grid power plant communities and private institutions. The PUCSL conducts safety inspections in schools, hospitals, orphanages, elders' homes, courts, libraries religious institutions and public places such as bus stands and shopping complexes.

“Awareness programs are conducted with the CEB, Sri Lanka Standards Institute, Institute of Engineers of Sri Lanka (IESL), Divisional Secretariats, police departments and business and industrial chambers,” Kumarasinghe said.

Rectification of unsafe electrical installation and rehabilitation of unsafe installation in schools and developing a licensing mechanism for electricians, setting guidelines for wiring and standards for electrical appliances, introducing safety guidelines for schools, hospitals and mega exhibitions such as the Deyata Kirula and Technical exhibitions.

Around 130 awareness and safety inspections were conducted in schools and hospitals last year. PUCSL has proposed to the Ministry of Education to introduce ‘Electricity Safety’ as a subject in the education curriculum from 2015.

PUCSL will launch a program to accredit electricians with the support of IESL.

“We held a series of discussions with IESL in this regard,” Kumarasinghe said.

He said that PUCSL will launch an electricity consumer rights program shortly to educate consumers on their right to obtain information on payments and the time needed to provide a connection, information on the procedure to be followed when changing the tariff category, breakdown of estimates for services needed, calculation of amounts on bills, getting the meter checked for accuracy and obtaining a refund if the meter is defective and a reasonably estimated bill for the defective period, receive prior notice with reasons for disconnection and needs to be fulfilled for re-connection, obtain reconnection within two working days upon fulfilling needs, receive a safe electricity supply and quick rectification by the service provider and prior notice on planned interruptions.

The PUCSL was set up under Act No. 35 of 2002 vesting it with the regulation of electricity, petroleum and water services. With the enactment of Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009 the Commission was empowered to regulate the economic, technical and safety aspects of the industry.