Zero accidents our motto: Kashmir PDD principal secretary Rohit Kansal

He was speaking in a function organised to observe the National Electrical Safety Week where he informed that the department is spending nearly Rs five crores for various safety devices this year and revealed that  12,000 employees at the field levels had been insured this year.

It may be mentioned that the week from 26th June to 2nd July is being observed as 'Electrical Safety Week' throughout the country and a number of events, safety workshops and mock drills are being  organised in this connection. In J&K too, the week is being observed across various divisions and offices of the PDD and safety pledges are being administered to staff and officers.

In Jammu, the same was led  by the Managing Directors of the Corporations, JPDCL and JKPTCL, Gurmeet Singh and Nasib Singh.

Speaking at the event organised at Electric Division Rajbagh in Srinagar, Kansal observed that safety cannot be a one time or part time affair and constant alertness and observance of SoPs is required and emphasized on ensuring operationalization of every layer of protection, be it personal protection or  system isolators and other protective equipment.

Kansal further exhorted upon the staff especially the field staff to operate system protection measures  like use of isolators and temporary earthing before taking up any tasks in the field, while advising them to work as per the SoPs and liaise with the feeder managers so that there is no miscommunication  between them. He stated that if all SoPs are faithfully implemented the chances of accidents would be eliminated.

He further emphasised that feeder managers and other staff are accountable for safety and that they  should ensure that before taking up any of the repair work adequate communication at all levels to  ensure shutdowns is made. They should also encourage and ensure use of personal protection gear like  safety belt, hand gloves, helmet, shoes with rubber soles and reflective jackets. He warned that there  would be zero tolerance for accidents and all cases of negligence would invite action.

MD, KPDCL, Basharat Qayoom revealed on the occasion that the corporation has procured safety  equipments for the protection of the field staff and much more is going to be.