An electrical accident can be said to be an incident involving electricity that results to a first aid or medical or treatment which may include fatalities. On the other hand, the occurrence of such an incident that does not result to medical or first aid treatment or fatality can be termed as an electric shock.

Electrical emergency is a danger or risk associated with electricity. Anything that uses electricity contains a risk that if not properly mitigated could lead to an electrical accident.

An emergency can be fallen, broken or arcing power lines, clashing conductors, dangerous poles, which are leaning or sparking, a fire on or near an electrical installation, a pole that has been hit by a vehicle or lying on the ground, an exposed underground cable, a damaged or exposed wire or substation/transformer.

If you have witnessed an electrical accident or noticed an electrical emergency:

STEP 1: Call the DisCo that is responsible for providing electricity in that area (see the table below for the numbers to call for each DisCo)

STEP 2: KEEP YOUR DISTANCE: Always assume that the electrical equipment (power cable, pole, or transformer) has electricity flowing in it. Do not go near it, touch it or anything that is in contact with it. Do not go near an injured person if it means making direct or indirect contact with the powerlines.

STEP 3: KEEP BYSTANDERS AWAY: Stand back and urge other bystanders to keep at least 6m away. Do not approach the area until the proper authorities have declared the area safe.

STEP 4: Call the NERC Accident Report line: 09-462-1411 or send an email to: healthandsafety@nerc.gov.ng

Kindly Provide the following information when reporting an incident or emergency:

• Where – Location of the incident, address, or street intersection
• When – Time of day, date
• What – The number of person(s) involved in the incident or damage that the incident has caused.
• Who – The person (s) affected by the incident (if known).

1. Any electrical contact that causes death.
2. Any electrical incident that causes critical injury, such as; an injury that places life in jeopardy, major loss of blood, loss of limb, produces unconsciousness, fracture, burns to major part (s) of body, loss of an eye etc.
3. Any fire or explosion or any condition suspected of being electrical in origin which might have caused a fire, explosion, loss of life, critical injury to a person, or damage to property.
4. Any electrical contact with electrical equipment operating at over 415 volts.
5. Any explosion or fire of electrical equipment operating at over 415 volts.
6. Any case of fallen, broken or arcing power lines, dangerous poles, which are leaning or sparking, a pole that has been hit by a vehicle or lying on the ground.
7. Any case of clashing conductors, a fire on or near an electrical installation, an exposed underground cable, a damaged or exposed wire or substation/transformer.