ESB warns Irish election candidates about risky behavior

ESB has circulated the email below to participants in the Irish elections. About 15 minutes after receiving the email, I came across a crew from Fine Gael with their ladder propped up against one of the poles.

Further down the road, I came across another one. Photos below.

Rural Ireland has various types of pole, including the Eircom (PSTN) poles, ESB (electric) poles, street lighting poles and road signs.

I completed my undergraduate engineering studies while working for one of Australia's leading workplace safety and rehabilitation experts. My own opinion on this subject is that it isn't reasonable to expect political party volunteers to know which pole is which. The use of ESB poles clearly presents a risk of electrical shock. The modification of road signs risks distraction for drivers. The easiest thing to do would be to prohibit the installation of signs on any pole whatsoever.

Looking at the ESB pole in the photo below, there are two supplies that are running down the side of the pole and taking an underground route into the adjacent premises. This is increasingly common in Ireland and it increases the risk for those who make contact with the pole.

While most people enjoyed a long weekend from 4 to 6 May, the Garda spent the weekend running a road safety campaign. Their work is undermined by those who compete for the attention of drivers passing the road signs.

Next weekend, 11 May, the national suicide prevention charity Pieta has their annual fundraising Darkness into Light walk at sunrise. Ironically, the main sponsor is Electric Ireland.

Jesus Saves

Don't do this

Subject: 	ESB Networks warn of risks associated with erecting posters on electricity poles ahead of Local and European Elections
Date: 	Wed, 8 May 2024 18:32:38 +0000
From: 	Murphy. Sean J (Strategy Innovation and Transformation) 

Dear Candidate for the European Parliament elections 2024,

For your information, please find below a Press Release issued by ESB Networks earlier this month in advance of the local and European elections in June 2024.

We share it with you to inform you and your party activists and poster hangers of the very real hazards and risks associated with hanging posters on electrical infrastructure. ESB Networks electricity poles can be recognised by the ‘Lightning Strike’ logo that appears on all ESB Networks Assets.

Please also be advised that posters that are hung inappropriately will have to be removed by local ESB Networks colleagues. This removal may result in the interruption of electricity supply to households and businesses in order to safely remove posters.

*/ESB Networks warn of risks associated with erecting posters on electricity poles ahead of Local and European Elections/*

*//*

  * */The erection of posters on electricity infrastructure is strictly
    prohibited for safety reasons/*
  * */ESB Networks has previously been required to interrupt the
    electricity supply to households and businesses in order to safely
    remove posters/*

/ESB Networks wish to remind all Groups and Parties involved in the upcoming Local and European elections that the erection of posters on electricity poles is strictly prohibited and poses a serious safety risk to members of the public as well as ESB Networks staff and contractors./

/Hazardous situations have been created in the past by people erecting posters on live electricity poles. ESB Networks’ wires and equipment are always live.  Attaching anything to electricity poles exposes you to the risk of electric shock, burns and falling from a height.  Posters attached to poles have caused poles to catch fire and fall. It is never safe to interfere with electricity equipment./

//

/Posters that are erected on electricity poles will be removed by ESB Networks and the costs incurred may be recovered from the respective Parties and Groups involved./

//

*/Speaking ahead of the upcoming elections Michael Murray, ESB Networks Public Safety Manager, said: /*/“ESB Networks regularly advise members of the public to always stay clear of electricity poles and wires through our various campaigns. It is important that these messages are taken on board in the interest of safety. ESB Networks has previously been required to interrupt the electricity supply to households and businesses in order to safely remove posters.”/

/You should always stay safe and stay clear of electricity wires and cables as these are always live and potentially dangerous. If you see a potentially dangerous situation or in the event of an emergency involving the electricity network, please contact ESB Networks on our 24/7 emergency phone number: 1800 372 999./

*/ENDS//*

Sincerely,

Seán Murphy

Manager, Public Affairs

Stay away from the poles

Campaigns in rural France also focus on road signage

Please see full details of my candidacy for the European Parliament 2024.