The historical study of MEARIE Liability losses for the policy period 1998 to 2006 has revealed increasing trends for both the severity [amount of dollars paid] and frequency [number of incidents] related to Conductor Clearance incidents. The following charts on page 2 show this trending.
So what can be done to ensure these trends reverse ensuring fewer incidents and lower dollar losses? For all new construction and replacement installations follow best practices and industry standards. ESA Reg 22/04 provides for audits that include inspections, testing and preventive maintenance.
These annual audits include existing transmission and distribution systems not just your new or retrofit construction. But what about in between or daily audits? You should regularly perform a visual inspection of your transmission and distribution system to locate low hanging lines that could be a concern.
How often do you visually inspect your lines? Would regular daily visual inspections potentially reduce the number of incidents? Don't think you have enough staff or time to inspect? Think again!
If your LDC were to make Risk Management a part of every employee's daily routine, think of the benefits you could gain. Encourage your employees to be the eyes and ears of your LDC for anything that could be a hazard to the public, including low hanging conductors, and to report it. No matter which department a staff member works in, encourage them to be aware of anything that could be a hazard to the public or result in a claim against your LDC. If it is a potential hazard or exposure to your LDC, by reporting it, an investigation and corrective action may be taken before an incident occurs.
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The MEARIE Group’s Reciprocal News is an electronic publication intended for subscribers of The MEARIE Group’s Property and Casualty Insurance programs. It is published on a periodic basis and is intended for information purposes only. |