Powerline Experts Deliver Key Safety Messages to Construction Workers

BARRIE, ON--(Marketwired - May 19, 2016) - May 16 to 22 is Powerline Safety Week, and PowerStream has collaborated with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) to connect directly with front line workers on a local construction site to discuss safety precautions to take around powerlines.

The safety event encouraged workers from Fermar Paving Limited, whose Barrie job site is in proximity to high-voltage powerlines, to share the #RespectThePower safety messages with their family and friends to increase awareness about the dangers of powerlines both at work and at home.

Powerline Safety Week is an important reminder for Ontarians to be aware of the risks when working around powerlines. For powerline safety tips visit esasafe.com/powerlinesafety.

QUOTES

• "Most Ontarians don't respect the power of the powerline and too often put themselves in danger. They need to put safety first and avoid taking risks," says Scott Saint, Chief Public Safety Officer at the Electrical Safety Authority. "Electrical contact can happen in the blink of an eye, and can cause serious injury or death. That's why we need to make sure people look up, look out and locate powerlines around their homes and on the job."
• "The consequences of a powerline contact are far-reaching and go well beyond the incident itself. Family, friends and co-workers will feel the effects for months and years afterwards," says Mike Matthews, PowerStream's Senior Vice President of Operations & Construction. "For that reason, we are here highlighting safety precautions to take around powerlines on construction sites."

BACKGROUND

• In the past 10 years, 24 Ontarians have died from overhead powerline contact, the leading cause of electrical fatality in Ontario. Front line construction workers are at an especially high risk, with 70 per cent of powerline contacts over the past 10 years occurring on construction sites.
• Dump trucks at construction sites remain a significant powerline contact concern to ESA. Incidents involving dump trucks doubled from 2009 to 2014.
• Results from ESA's 2015 Powerline Safety Week campaign showed that Ontarians were 15 per cent more likely to look for powerlines after seeing ESA powerline safety messages -- a positive step that demonstrates the importance of education and awareness.

ABOUT POWERSTREAM

PowerStream is a community-owned energy company that provides power and related services to more than 380,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. It is jointly owned by the Cities of Barrie, Markham and Vaughan.

ABOUT ELECTRICAL SAFETY AUTHORITY (ESA)

The ESA's role is to enhance public electrical safety in Ontario. As an administrative authority acting on behalf of the Government of Ontario, ESA is responsible for administering specific regulations related to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, the licensing of Electrical Contractors and Master Electricians, electricity distribution system safety, and electrical product safety. ESA works extensively with stakeholders throughout the province on education, training and promotion to foster electrical safety.

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