The Barbados Light & Power Company (BL&P) has issued a formal safety advisory directed at political candidates and their supporters, explicitly prohibiting the attachment of campaign materials to utility poles throughout the election period. The utility provider emphasized that this common practice creates severe and potentially life-threatening hazards.
In a detailed statement released across its official social media platforms, BL&P outlined the multifaceted dangers posed by affixing posters, signs, nails, staples, or tacks to electrical infrastructure. The company warned that these foreign objects present critical safety risks to its trained linemen, potentially puncturing their essential protective gear and increasing the likelihood of dangerous falls from height. Even seemingly minor items left behind can result in severe occupational injuries.
Furthermore, the utility company highlighted the broader public safety implications. Obscuring pole identification numbers with campaign materials can significantly delay emergency response times during power outages or electrical incidents. More gravely, the act of installing these materials exposes non-qualified personnel to potentially fatal electrical hazards, including electrocution.
BL&P also noted that these unauthorized attachments interfere with essential routine maintenance and repair operations, ultimately compromising the reliability and safety of the national electrical grid for all citizens. The advisory serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining clear electrical infrastructure during heightened political activity.