A young lineman from the Havana Electric Company was tragically electrocuted on Tuesday night while working on a pole in Punta Brava, La Lisa. The incident occurred on 28th Street, between 251 and 253.
A local resident, who witnessed the event, captured images showing the young man, identified as Pedrito, hanging unconscious among the high-voltage wires. The emergency unfolded after the community reported a transformer outage around 2 PM. However, the electric company workers didn't arrive until 10 PM.
"The young man did a good job, but in the end, when he tried to cross the wires to get down, he lost consciousness and fell onto the wires," a witness recounted.
The young man was rescued by firefighters and transported to a clinic, but he died shortly after due to the severity of his injuries. Residents who witnessed the scene criticized the inadequate protection for the worker. "This is what happens when you work in Cuba without the minimum safety conditions," they told Cubanet.
Witnesses also noted significant delays in medical assistance. The lineman was hanging from the pole for about half an hour before firefighters could lower him. The ambulance took nearly an hour to arrive because the driver reportedly had to attend to another case in Alamar first.
This is not the first fatal accident at the Havana Electric Company. There have been numerous reports of poor worker nutrition, lack of safety materials, and essential resources, which, if not available, can endanger their lives.
In March, another lineman, Leonel Borroso Machín, died after falling from a pole while working to restore electric service in Boyeros, which had been affected by severe storms.
Key Questions About Worker Safety in Cuba
In light of the recent tragic event, several critical questions have emerged regarding worker safety and conditions in Cuba. Here, we address some of the most pressing concerns.
What safety measures are currently in place for linemen in Cuba?
Safety measures for linemen in Cuba are reportedly inadequate, with frequent complaints about the lack of essential safety materials and proper training.
Why do medical assistance delays occur in such emergencies?
Delays in medical assistance are often due to resource constraints, including a shortage of ambulances and medical personnel, leading to longer response times.
Have there been previous incidents similar to this one?
Yes, similar incidents have occurred, including the death of Leonel Borroso Machín in March, highlighting ongoing safety issues within the Havana Electric Company.