The Electrical Safety Committee (ESCOM) hosted a socialisation event on Thursday to raise awareness of best practices in electrical safety within the construction sector, underscoring the urgency for improved safety measures following a series of tragic incidents in recent years.
The need for greater awareness was emphasised by two major electrical accidents. In June 2023, a flashover incident during substation maintenance caused severe second and third-degree burns to a worker. Earlier, in December 2022, a worker was electrocuted and fell while working at height, resulting in his death. These incidents have brought to light the critical need for stricter safety measures and better adherence to safety guidelines in the workplace to prevent future accidents.
The event, attended by Deputy Permanent Secretary (Energy) at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pengiran Haji Jamra Weira bin Pengiran Haji Petra, focused on the introduction of new Electrical Safety Best Practice documents aimed at providing comprehensive guidance on safe electrical installations in the construction industry. The documents include “Guidelines and Best Practices for Construction Power Part 1: Temporary Construction Power,” “Part 2: Standalone Mobile Generator > 10kVA to 1250kVA,” and “Part 3: Electrical Safety at Construction Sites.”
These best practices are designed to enhance safety procedures among industry players and to improve compliance with electrical safety regulations. The event was attended by key representatives from the Department of Electrical Services (DES), Autoriti Elektrik Negara Brunei Darussalam (AENBD), Berakas Power Company, as well as students from educational institutions such as IBTE and Politeknik Brunei.
ESCOM’s initiative aims to address safety challenges in the construction sector, ensuring that tragic accidents like those seen in the past are less likely to occur. The Electrical Safety Best Practice documents are available on ESCOM’s website under the ‘External Info’ section, offering vital resources to improve workplace safety standards. – LYNA MOHAMMAD
