Electricity Board’s contract staff die sans benefits

In the latest case, Anandan, 40, of Chavara lost his life two months ago while on duty. “The government does not provide any aid in case of such deaths.

The employees with the KSEB section office will collect some money for the dependants of the dead as charity. This won’t be sufficient for a family that depends solely on a contract worker for survival,” Mr Sundaresan, a contract worker with the KSEB told DC. As many as 16 contract workers have lost their lives in the state last year.

“Many deaths occurred because the right lines were not switched off or the lines were switched on unknowingly,” Mr. Sundaresan alleged.

Most of the contract workers are assigned for trimming tree trunks that come into contact with the service wires. They also allege lack of proper safety measures taken by the supervisors.

Even the permanent staff are allegedly unaware of the directives by the Indian Electricity Rule of 1956 that mandates safety measures for the workers.

As per the rule, the electricity towards the area of maintenance should be shut from all the sides, which is allegedly not followed, except for the line that is under maintenance.

Meanwhile, section 36 of the rule directs not to perform maintenance works without permission and possessing safety measures suggested by the electrical inspector. The public can also use toll-free number 1912 in case of such emergencies.