March 03 2022
Horizon Power is urging people to take care around mini pillars, or green domes, which contain live wires that, if damaged, can be just as dangerous as fallen powerlines.
These little domes might seem rather unremarkable, but they play a very important role in how electricity is delivered to your home, business, and community facilities. In fact, they do the same job as poles and wires, they’re just underground.
There have been 235 incidents where green domes have been damaged across Horizon Power’s footprint over the last four years, with most of these occurring in larger towns.
The majority of safety-critical incidents occur when drivers hit or drive over the domes, or when eager gardeners or tradespeople damage them with heavy duty lawn-mowing or other gardening equipment.
Horizon Power’s Manager Operations for the Pilbara, Noel Moyo, said community safety was top priority for the regional power provider, and urged people to exercise caution around electrical assets.
“A damaged or cracked green dome can expose dangerous wiring and cables, posing a real risk to the community, and especially young children who may play with the equipment and be unaware of the dangers,” said Mr Moyo.
“We all know fallen powerlines are dangerous, but sometimes these domes get forgotten. It’s important to remember that electricity is always extremely dangerous, and like fallen lines, these domes can cause serious electric shock or electrocution when live wires are exposed.”
“Before driving, parking or undertaking any gardening, building or maintenance works, take a moment to look around and check where the green domes are around you – whether on your property, your street, your park or somewhere else in your community.”
If you see any damage to electrical infrastructure, stay at least 10 metres away and call Horizon Power on 13 23 51.