November 2006 ISSUE
Permit Holders Join Forces With Provincial Government
To Reduce Electrical Accidents
Almost every day across Alberta, three people make contact with overhead or underground power lines, risking serious injury or death, says Alberta Human Resources and Employment. Most electrical incidents involve excavators contacting underground utilities, or large equipment and gravel trucks contacting overhead power lines.
Alberta’s electric utilities — major APEGGA permit holders — along with the Government of Alberta have joined forces to promote electrical safety. The partnership includes Fortis Alberta, AltaLink, ENMAX, EPCOR and ATCO Electric.
The utilities and government have independently run public advertising and education campaigns for years. In 2005 the representatives for each utility met to discuss their common concerns around the growing numbers of incidents, despite stepped-up advertising campaigns.
At the same time, the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board, which approves all regulated utilities spending, noticed the same trend. It responded that there may be great benefit from pooling dollars and efforts.
Alberta Human Resources and Employment was asked to the table because the ministry promotes workplace electrical safety. Also on the team is Alberta Municipal Affairs, which administers electrical codes and standards.
The resulting advertising campaign focuses on radio ads that get to the point, “Stay alert. Stay away. Stay alive.” Newspaper ads remind readers that electrical incidents are “no laughing matter” and invite them to contact their electric utility or visit www.hre.gov.ab.ca.