Nailing Placards to Power Poles Creates “Life-Threatening” Risk to Workers and Fire Hazards
The Yes on L Campaign, which champions Berkeley’s $650 million mega bond to “enhance safety,” has resorted to unlawful campaign tactics resulting in risks to workers and the public. In recent days, campaign placards have been nailed across the access rungs of power poles rendering them hazardous and inaccessible to utility workers.
Nailing signs to utility poles is a violation of the Berkeley Municipal Code. Safety advocates have launched public education campaigns designed to protect workers from the life-threatening risk posed by signs in general and nails in particular.
The clamped safety boots used by line workers to climb poles are vulnerable to becoming snagged on staples and nails embedded in posts. Foreign objects can also tear utility workers’ protective clothing, which is the first line of protection from an electric shock in the event of an accident. They can also injure workers despite the safety gear they wear to avoid contact with rough surfaces.
https://safeelectricity.org/posting-items-utility-poles-creates-safety-risks/
Blocking access to electrical lines also compounds fire risk as campaign placards block timely access to hazardous wires or transformers that may need replacement or repair. Besides the dangers posed by nailed placards, illegally placed campaign signs can cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars.
WOM Berkeley finds it ironic that the same elected officials who want residents to entrust them with a $650 million line of credit are in leadership positions for a campaign that puts workers and residents at risk, wastes thousands of taxpayer dollars and violates city law. If you observe illegal campaign placards you are encouraged to report the location to the City Clerk clerk@cityofberkeley.info.
Examples of Campaign Placards Nailed to Utility Poles
No sign, poster, placard, card, sticker, banner, or other device calculated to attract attention of the public shall be posted, printed, stamped, stuck or otherwise affixed to or placed upon any public sidewalk, crosswalk, median strip, curb, lamppost, hydrant, tree, utility pole, any fixture of the traffic control, fire alarm or police alarm system of the City, except:… placards, cards, stickers, or flyers that do not cause a hazard to pedestrian or vehicle traffic, and that are affixed to City-owned utility poles and lampposts in a manner consistent with standards promulgated by the Department of Public Works.
No comments:
Post a Comment