ESB warn candidates in Laois about election posters on its poles

During previous election campaigns ESB Networks has had to interrupt the electricity supply to households and businesses to safely remove posters.

With candidates chomping at the bit waiting to erect their election posters ESB Networks has warned that the erection of candidate posters on electricity infrastructure is strictly prohibited and poses a serious safety risk to members of the public as well as ESB Networks staff and contractors.

ESB Networks Public Safety Manager Michael Murray said: “Hazardous situations have been created in the past by people erecting posters on live electricity poles and infrastructure. Attaching anything to electricity poles exposes individuals to the risk of electric shock, burns and falling from a height. ESB Networks’ wires and equipment are always live, and posters attached to poles have previously caused poles to catch fire and fall.

“As we come into the winter months, weather conditions such as heavy rain and winds can cause posters to become detached and in turn potentially making contact with live electrical wires. The removal of posters from electricity poles can pose significant safety risks to ESB Networks staff, which can result in severe injuries.”