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Mangaluru: Man electrocuted while repairing transformer, other seriously injured

  •   Fri, Aug 21 2015 07:11:37 PM

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Aug 21: In a tragic incident, a man was electrocuted and the other was seriously injured while they were repairing a high voltage transformer, at AB Shetty circle, here on Friday, August 21.

The deceased has been identified as Alexander Pias (50), resident of Derebail. Narayan (43), resident of Subramanya, was seriously injured in the incident.



The injured has been admitted to a private hospital in the city.

On lookers informed that both the workers collapsed after they were electrocuted while they were working on the transformer and were rushed to the hospital. Alexander Pias was declared brought dead. The situation of the injured is said to be critical.

More information is awaited.
  

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Comment on this article

  • Joe Gonsalves, Mangalore

    Sun, Aug 23 2015

    Precious lives are lost these days due to neglect and lack of safety norms. There should be prescribed codes regarding safety measures and SAFETY EQUIPMENT TOO. The people at the helm of affairs in the Electricity department should ensure that the rules and codes regarding safety measures - safety equipment are strictly followed - even imposing fines for not following the safety rules.

    It is reported in the media that this is not the first instance of death by getting electrocuted while doing repair work.

    Hope The Government takes serious note of these deaths and strictly imposes SAFETY MEASURES.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf Rodrigues, Mangalore/Mumbai

    Sat, Aug 22 2015

    Recently many innocent linemen have had their life snuffed out due to nonavailability of very basic safety items!!

    Last week in Suratkal area, a sr. line man just leaned on the side and touched a HT wire and died on the spot!! This is again negligence as they should have put off the power in that too due to its proximity to the work area of the victim!!

    Here it is common to see linemen climbing HV poles like monkeys without even using basic safety equipment like gumboots, gloves, safety slings etc.!! Recently I was surprised to see a lineman climb a pole like a monkey and reconnect a old aluminum house supply wire and not even wrapping insulation tape on the same just on an assurance of his fellow man who assured him he will see the supply is put off till such time as his work is over!! This type of work is only heard to be carried out in remote Bihar and UP, and we are talking about a progressive DK!!!

    No doubt, the family should get/claim a very hefty compensation from Mescom for not providing the deceased with safety gadgets!! The engineers sit in their AC cabin and are least bothered to take any responsibility or initiative!! Here too, the chief engineer should be made accountable and given a show cause notice as to why he should not be thrown out for dereliction of duty!!! Jai Progressive Mangluru!!

    RIP bro!!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • Robert Pais, Mangalore

    Sat, Aug 22 2015

    We can do out bit to save lives:

    1.Can we take the liberty of clicking pictures that show- line with little or no precaution? ( mobile phone pictures should be enough). Record date and time and send them to BESCOM?

    2. Share information or suggest better protection gear and guide lines if we come across from our friends or relatives abroad or via internet.

    3. Perhaps Daijiworld can create a section ( webpage or blog) where useful suggestions for the city can be uploaded and shared freely to one and all including the BESCOM. In this information age, there are no geographic limits to learn and change.

    Every death should not go in vain - unless we do not value human lives, there simply cannot be a repeat incidence due to lack of procedure with precaution is followed.

    4. The supervisor of the line men needs to be held accountable. He is responsible to see that people under him follow the procedures.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anna, beluvai

    Sat, Aug 22 2015

    very true !well said.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Stan, Udupi/ Dubai

    Sat, Aug 22 2015

    One more case of negligence resulting in poor mans death.Who cares for poor people lives in our country.No safety precautions and procedures followed.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Af,, Mangaluru

    Sat, Aug 22 2015

    As a safety precaution line man has removed the fuse before repair work but due to some private party has powered on generator this tragedy happened ,a proper investigation must happened and suitable compensation given to the family.

    DisAgree Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Divakar, Mangalore

    Sat, Aug 22 2015

    Most of the MESCOM workers not using Helmet, glows, shoes while working.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Aug 22 2015

    Why no Precautions. RIP ...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter Lewis, Kalmady/k s a

    Sat, Aug 22 2015

    Few days ago a lineman died on electric pole in Surathkal. Unless discharge the Transformer even though supply is switched off should not repair. storage charge of high voltage transformer is enough to kill. Lack of precaution from engineers causing these incidents. My sincere condolences to the deceased families.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • oswald lobo, mangalore

    Sat, Aug 22 2015

    shocking news!! unexpected death. sincere condolences to his family.may god give them strength to bear irreparable loss

    DisAgree Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Edward R. Monteiro, Kulshekar, Mangalore

    Sat, Aug 22 2015

    Mr. Alex, was working in our area as a lineman and hard worker. He is experienced and know the job and good in climbing the trees to chop the branches which touch or hinder the power lines.
    While working on the transformers or the distribution network, the line men switch off the Transformer by opening the the Ground operated Switch( called GOS)located on the transformer structure. If the work is involved in High Tension line of 11KV Feeders, which feeds power supply to the transformer, it is switched off at the intermediate GOS lines point or they take Line Clearance from the Power Station and the Power Station switches off the 11KV power line.
    This accident could be the Reverse Power Supply either from the generators or from the Inverters of the customers premises if the wiring is not done properly.

    Anyhow, MESCOM has lost a good and experienced LIne Man Mr. Alex, whom I know him.He was in Kulshekar area before but shifted to Nehru Maidan Office later.

    Let the God give strength to the bereaved family to bear his loss.
    Jai Hind.

    DisAgree Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sunil D'Souza, Mangalore / Mumbai

    Sat, Aug 22 2015

    You are right the GOS may have been isolated , I don't think anybody would dare go near a 11kV Trafo. without proper Isolation.

    I have noticed people install Generators of capacities upto 5kVA and above without any changeover switch and just with some jumper cables leaving either of Neutral or Live without isolation. They only partially isolate the supply.

    This happens due to lack of electrical knowledge among technicians who hardly pass 10th standard. There should be strict rules and regulations before installing any generators for temporary or permanent purpose. Clearance from Divisional Electrical Inspection must be made compulsory.

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Edward R. Monteiro, Kulshekar, Mangalore

    Sun, Aug 23 2015

    Mr. Sunil, Mangalore/Mumbai, I agree with you what you have written in respect of my comments. But one information I want to share is that you mentioned that people do not go near the transformers, is not correct.The transformers are Metered in MESCOM jurisdiction. The PVC enclosure Meter Box having CT meter and live copper plates Bus Bar box which is directly first connected from the output of the transformers before connecting the Distribution Network of the consumers.
    Very next to my house, a distribution transformer of 63KVA capacity is located,t two weeks ago, two young boys nearby my house, whom I knew and their parents, carrying a live tree stick were playing with the Meter box, putting their lives in danger. I called those young boys and told them not to play with that and they felt sorry for their acts. There are people so called educated people tie their cows near the transformer structure, which has NEUTRAL, Transformer body and Lightning Arrestor groundings, located under the Transformer structure. When the accident takes place, MESCOM or Power Utility is blamed. What you say about this?

    DisAgree Agree [8] Report Abuse

  • Robert Pais, Mangalore

    Sun, Aug 23 2015

    How Do We Prevent reverse supply?

    1. I do not think getting permission from MESCOM is a good idea to install generators. Guidelines can be given more clearly and those who do not install generators can be fined.

    2. Assuming that there is always a risk of reverse supply- what protective equipment needs to be adorned?
    3. In the event of non life threatening electrocution - proper equipment in place would prevent the fall to the death of the LINEMAN. If head injury caused the death - then is it not logical to have strapped helmet as protection? Is it not better to have proper shoes and attire that reduces the electrocution damage?

    Preparing for the worst with protection against electrocution and equipment against fall is a minimum requirement.
    I am not knowledgeable on transformers- yet having a safety off switch at every transformer( at the power input) at a time of repair will greatly solve the problem.
    If every death - BESCOM has to pay 50 Lakhs to the family - would it not be prudent to invest in 50 lakh worth equipment for whole mangalore city?

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Edward R, Monteiro, Kulshekar, Mangalore

    Mon, Aug 24 2015

    Mr. Robert Pais, Mangalore.: Every transformer has isolated GOS (Ground Operated Switch) having three heavy duty plates on the top of the transformer structure with GI Pipe connected down, which is always grounded to prevent any shocks. That is turned off when the lineman work on the transformer or the Distribution network. Regarding generators connections, there are sufficient guidelines from the Electrical Inspectorate Office. Every generator connection must have change over switch at the distribution point of the generator output. People to save few rupees, and so called "L Board" electricians do not install the CHANGE OVER SWITCH with proper protection is a must to prevent any electrical accidents or reverse supply. Remember, power supply from the generators or from Mescom Grid, both having 230 volts single phase or 440 volts three phase is the same and having same frequency.
    Let us follow guidelines in this matter and save not only our lives but also of our fellow man, who work on power lines. Jai Hind.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Report Abuse

  • abdulla, india

    Fri, Aug 21 2015

    We have no value for lives..
    Safety and security is Zero..
    Education is poor.. disaster.
    Do they have a LICENSE.. is that license valid.. have they undergone safety course..do they know to read the voltage and its implications.do they have proper testing equipments.. gear etc.
    this is a joke in today modern world and can only happen in india.
    yes, we have 1.3 stil active populous..with zero quality.this is what you get..Education is poor..
    sorry but true.
    if you start making case and the culprit is punished by LAW. then there would be some discipline..
    this is all BINDAAS.. JUGAAD.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alok, Kadri

    Fri, Aug 21 2015

    R.I.P. HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO UR FAMILY.

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • PINTO, Doha-Qatar

    Fri, Aug 21 2015

    MESCOM has taken the safety of its employees granted even after so many incidents happened in the past.Will they order a fair investigation into this incident and compensate the deceased at the least?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mangalorian , Mangalore

    Fri, Aug 21 2015

    Dear Daijiworld readers it is a human error. Because the department is not providing proper education regarding the safety while at work . 2 ndly none of the departments follow the tool box meeting. Some times people are over confident also.and finally I feel no one is following the safety check list before carrying out any jobs.so my request to the concerned department please educate the people.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Common man, Mangaluru

    Fri, Aug 21 2015

    These things are almost unheard of in countries abroad... It is an eye-opener for our poor safety standards... 'whose life is it anyway?' has been the Indian attitude, until it happens to one of my own...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Robert Pais, Mangalore

    Fri, Aug 21 2015

    Unfortunate and avoidable incidence if proper precautions were taken. Loss of lives has become all to common in the electricity Dept in recent times.

    Can any one let me know as to why during this age of Information exchange- basic equipment and protective gear that safe guards the workers are missing in MESCOM/BESCOM workers?

    The other day the line men were trying to correct a fault in total darkness with only small torch lights !! Why cant they have equipment that can elevate them to the heights avoiding the need to climb the precarious pole? Why cant they have proper illumination that can ease their work and speed it up?

    No wonder - repairs take such long time. Human lives are more important and the dept needs to spend money and have proper functioning equipment. No compromises.

    If this type of deaths happen in developed countries , then there is investigation into the deficiencies( whether adequate protection was there or not) and then the person is held accountable.

    What we need is accountability of officials over the death of linemen and the officers found guilty has to face appropriate action. No accountability does not foster change to the present status qua.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • vivek, hirebyle/Abu dhabi

    Fri, Aug 21 2015

    Unfortunately...science will say this as human error.. So mean...R.I.P ....

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Oliver, Udupi

    Fri, Aug 21 2015

    Careless MESCOM officials..please sanction 25 lacs immediately to the bereaving family.
    May the GOD console the family.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, BAHRAIN

    Fri, Aug 21 2015

    It is really sad to note about the incident and loss of life. May his soul rest in peace.

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • PRIMUS MARIO DSOUZA, MERLAPADAVU

    Fri, Aug 21 2015

    RIP ALEXANDER uncle may your soul rest in peace

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse


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