Kenya Power spends Sh970 million on safety upgrades after workers' deaths
By Lucy Mumbi |
The company has also committed to securing additional PPE in the current financial year to further bolster safety.
Kenya Power spent Sh970 million to enhance safety in the financial year ending June 2024, following the deaths of 13 workers due to work-related incidents, including electrocution.
The utility firm disclosed that Sh870 million was used to procure network safety tools and equipment, while Sh100 million was allocated for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE).
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The company has also committed to securing additional PPE in the current financial year to further bolster safety.
During the review period, Kenya Power reported the loss of 10 staff members and three externally contracted workers, all of whom died from work-related incidents. Additionally, 118 non-fatal injuries were reported, underscoring the dangers faced by workers in the electricity distribution sector.
Tolerance levels
The company noted that incidents exceeding five employee-related injuries in a year breach both its risk appetite and tolerance levels, according to its key risk indicators.
“During the year, the company procured network safety tools and equipment worth Sh870 million and PPE worth Sh100 million. Further, we have allocated adequate resources to procure additional PPE in the current financial year," reads the report.
“Regrettably, there were 10 staff fatalities and 118 non-fatal injuries arising from work-related incidents in the period. In addition, we recorded three fatalities from an externally contracted workforce. Each of these incidences was thoroughly investigated and countermeasures were instituted to prevent recurrence and improve safety in the company.”
Apart from the fatalities, Kenya Power also recorded 118 electrocution cases involving members of the public, marking a 9.3 per cent decrease from the previous year.
To address these challenges, the firm said it has paired its investment in safety tools and PPE with additional training for its staff, understanding that such incidents often lead to costly medical expenses and compensation for affected families.
“As a result, we recorded a 9.3 per cent reduction in electrocutions during the year to 118 cases. To further reduce these incidents, during the current financial year we target to conduct 500 public safety campaigns,” reads the report.
At the close of June, the company had 10,437 staff members. In a bid to improve safety, it held 22 safety training sessions and conducted 253 safety talks across its depots and offices.
Kenya Power also carried out 476 public electrical safety awareness campaigns, which included barazas, school sessions, and safety talks in places of worship. The company aims to conduct at least 500 public safety campaigns in the current financial year.
The company also connected 447,251 new customers to the grid in the year to June, bringing its total connections to 9.66 million, with a goal of reaching 10 million in the current financial year.
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