The UK’s biggest electricity distributor is urging companies to sign up to a new safety pledge designed to reduce the risk of accidents.
UK Power Networks wants a range of organisations, including associations and businesses, to commit their support to its ‘Be Bright, Stay Safe’ campaign.
The pledge is designed to raise awareness of the risks of coming into contact with overhead or underground power lines, and to increase understanding of how to work safer.
A key message is for firms to endorse the view that ‘everyone has the right to go home safe after a day’s work’ with an initial emphasis on haulage firms, trade bodies and the agricultural industry.
The ‘Be Bright, Stay Safe’ pledge is about motivating people who work around, or who may come into contact with, the electricity distribution network to adopt safe behaviour. The intention is to ensure companies commit to sharing vital electricity safety information with their members through collaborative working with UK Power Networks.
Those who sign up will be encouraged to share pictures and stories of safe working practices through digital channels including blogs and vlogs as well as via social media.
Ros Forbes, UK Power Networks public safety and education adviser, said: “Coming into contact with the electricity network results in serious injuries or even fatalities. This has a far reaching and devastating effect on family, friends and colleagues.
“Our ‘Be Bright, Stay Safe’ campaign aims to support safe working, promote safe behaviours and encourage the sharing of information and knowledge which highlight the real risks of coming into contact with electricity.
“We want this to be a genuine call to action and to promote positive conversations to take place around electrical safety by people sharing their key knowledge and experiences as small steps can lead to big changes.
UK Power Networks owns and maintains the overhead lines, underground cables and substations which distribute electricity to eight million customers across the East of England, London and the South East.
105 is a free number you can call if you have a power cut, to get through to your local network operator which runs the cables and power lines delivering electricity to your area.
More than 40,000 people attended safety events that UK Power Networks were a part of during the past year, the highest figure yet.
UK Power Networks wants this to be a genuine call to action and to promote positive conversations to take place around electrical safety by people sharing their key knowledge and experiences as small steps can lead to big changes. To get involved and pledge your support, or for more information, visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/en/safety/
The ‘Be Bright, Stay Safe’ campaign page with free downloadable resources can be found at www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/internet/en/safety/staysafecampaign2/
