Madam, - Recent media coverage of the removal of poles from the construction site of Gael Choláiste Na Mara in Arklow, Co Wicklow provided an opportunity for some tongue-in-cheek coverage ( The Irish Times, January 17th). However, there is also a serious safety issue that should be addressed.
All those involved in construction activities are well aware of the constraints and limitations of working close to live, overhead lines. In the case of the school in Arklow, an understanding had been reached that the network would be taken out of service in January in order so that the poles could be removed and building could safely proceed under the line.
Some reports suggested the ESB had dragged its feet in removing the poles. This is not true and is unfair to the staff involved. The removal of a heavily loaded 38,000-volt power line, with houses on both sides and a railway line nearby, is a complex operation, involving careful planning to ensure safety and minimise disruption to electricity supply. In this case, it also required the close co-operation of Iarnród Éireann.
Any work near or under an electricity network involves strict health and safety requirements. ESB Networks and the Health and Safety Authority have been working with the construction industry to ensure that developers and contractors are well aware of the dangers. It is never acceptable to put employees at risk by building under a live high-voltage line.
Each year construction workers are killed or seriously injured
in similar situations. Thankfully, in this case no injury occurred.
- Yours, etc,
JOHN SHINE,
Executive Director,
Networks,
ESB,
Lower Fitzwilliam Street,
Dublin 2.