UPPCL Safety Overhaul: JE, AE And XENs Now Directly Responsible For Electrical Accidents

The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation (UPPCL) has issued strict instructions to its officials to prevent electrical accidents. According to the new directives, if any accident occurs due to negligence, lack of training, or failure to use safety equipment, the concerned Junior Engineer (JE), Assistant Engineer (AE) and Executive Engineer (XEN) will be held responsible and will face strict action.

Additionally, agencies that provide contract workers have been directed to ensure that their employees do not work on power lines without proper safety gear.

To prevent the significant loss of life and property from electrical accidents, the Power Corporation's Chairman, Dr Ashish Kumar Goel, issued these detailed guidelines on Thursday. The instructions have been sent to all officials, from the Managing Directors of power distribution companies (DISCOMs) down to the Executive Engineers.

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The Chairman has clearly stated that at 33/11 kV substations, no employee—whether permanent or on contract—will be allowed to work without wearing safety equipment. For this, he has directed all DISCOMs to organize training programs for their staff at the Zone, Circle, and Division levels.

The Chairman has also made the following rules mandatory:

- Before any team goes out for a job, they must provide written notice in a register at the substation.

- Before assigning work, it must be confirmed that the team has all the necessary safety equipment.

- Unskilled workers must not be assigned to line maintenance tasks.

- Work should only begin after a proper 'shutdown' of the power line has been obtained.

Chief Engineers and Superintending Engineers will be responsible for ensuring that the corporation's orders regarding the distribution of safety equipment are strictly followed. It is important to note that last year, 1,123 people died due to electrical accidents.

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All DISCOMs have been provided with 11 types of safety equipment, which include:

- Electrical safety helmets (with an HV sensor and torch)

- Electrical safety gloves (for 33 kV and 11 kV lines)

- Electrical safety shoes

- Earthing mats

- Safety belts and harnesses

- Earth discharge rods (for 33 kV and 11 kV lines)

- A 30-foot brass earthing chain

- LV testers (Neon)

- A tool kit

- High-visibility jackets