Ensuring the safety of the power grid starts with public awareness.

The rainy season also increases the risk of power grid safety hazards. In many localities throughout the province, functional forces and residents are working together to clear trees and remove obstacles near power lines. These seemingly small actions are directly related to power grid safety and human lives. Because even a falling tree branch, a kite caught on a power line, or a construction project violating safety distances can lead to serious incidents.

Electricity workers in Thanh Hoa are working with local residents to remove trees that pose a risk to the safety corridor of the power grid before the rainy and stormy season.

Prior to the 2026 rainy season, in Nhu Thanh commune, dozens of electricity company officials, police officers, military personnel , militia members, and local residents gathered from early morning to clear trees near power lines. Many households proactively cut down old trees in their gardens and removed obstacles that posed a risk to the safety corridor of the power lines. This campaign took place amidst concerns that more than 1,230 trees in the commune posed a risk of causing electrical incidents and needed to be dealt with before the rainy season.

Along with the rapid pace of urbanization, transportation expansion, and civil construction development, the risk of violations of power line safety corridors is increasing. According to Thanh Hoa Power Company, from the beginning of 2026 to the present, the entire system has experienced 1,056 incidents, including 399 prolonged incidents and 657 transient incidents. Many incidents involved trees outside the power line safety corridor being blown onto power lines by wind, or activities such as kite flying, tree cutting, construction, and digging near power cables. Specifically, 65 incidents stemming from activities related to daily life were recorded. Of these, 44 were due to kite flying, balloons, or flying objects; 13 were due to tree cutting or trees falling onto power lines; 6 were due to construction and excavation work on underground cables; and the remainder were due to fishing or vehicles violating the safe distance from power lines. The above figures show that many risks do not stem from operational techniques but from living and production habits, and from a lack of full awareness of the dangers of violating occupational safety and health regulations.

While violations of electrical safety corridors were previously primarily viewed as causing power outages, recent events have shown much more serious consequences. From the beginning of 2026 to the present, there have been 4 electrical accidents involving civilians in the province, resulting in 2 deaths and 2 serious injuries. These incidents involved fishing under medium-voltage power lines, using cranes near power lines, installing roof trusses in violation of safety distances, or unauthorized access to electrical infrastructure.

In early May 2026, the Provincial People's Committee issued a document requesting strengthened coordination in protecting the electrical safety corridor, promoting awareness campaigns, and decisively addressing existing violations. Following this directive, Thanh Hoa Power Company launched a large-scale campaign to address electrical safety risks. Two task forces comprising 58 officers and employees were established to inspect and rectify defects on power lines with high incident rates. Simultaneously, units posted warning signs on power poles and substations; erected signs prohibiting kite flying and fishing in high-risk areas; and posted the operational management phone number for people to promptly report safety risks.

In addition, awareness campaigns have been extended to the grassroots level. Thanh Hoa Power Company, in coordination with relevant departments and localities, has been promoting electrical safety in schools and organizing tree clearing campaigns in many mountainous communes. Many households have agreed to cut down large trees near power lines to prevent incidents before the rainy season. To date, power companies, in coordination with local authorities, have cleared over 13,358 trees that posed a risk of falling or colliding with power lines. Currently, the province still has 5,970 trees that pose a risk of power grid failures and need to be addressed; some households have not yet agreed to the pruning or are requesting assistance in handling dangerous trees.

According to Mr. Hoang Duc Hau, Deputy Director of Thanh Hoa Power Company, protecting the power line safety corridor and preventing electrical accidents and incidents among the population is an urgent task during the rainy season, storms, and hot weather. Reducing incidents is only effective when local authorities are regularly involved and the people cooperate. In reality, where local authorities coordinate well with the power sector, handling violations, clearing vegetation, and preventing risks are implemented more smoothly. Conversely, negligence in daily life and production can still lead to incidents or accidents.

Maintaining workplace safety doesn't start with grand regulations, but begins with things like not flying kites near power lines, not constructing structures that violate safety distances, not arbitrarily cutting down trees close to power lines, and proactively reporting any hazards. One right action today can prevent an accident tomorrow.

Text and photos: Tang Thuy

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/giu-an-toan-luoi-dien-tu-y-thuc-cua-nguoi-dan-289217.htm