Every year, people across the UK are injured or even killed by coming into contact with live electricity.

Central Networks is committed to the safe operation of its electrical network both for employees and the public. All installations, equipment and work processes are designed with safety in mind, but injuries and fatalities can occur if members of the public get too close to our equipment, either unintentionally or deliberately.

Management of Community Safety issues

Central Networks operates an electricity distribution network across an area of approximately 27,000 square kilometres in the Midlands. Although there are around 4.9 million customers connected to our network, we have a responsibility to all members of the public who live in or visit our operating area to keep them safe. This responsibility is enshrined in law through the Electricity Safety Quality and Continuity Regulations. Central Networks has robust systems and procedures in place to ensure our operational sites and electrical equipment are secure and will not endanger the public under normal circumstances. In addition, we have an extensive programme of awareness and education for key risk groups, focused on the hazards associated with their area of interest.

Although the Managing Director of Central Networks is responsible for ensuring that all activities comply with E.ON UK's Health and Safety policy, which includes our responsibilities to the public, on a day-to-day level the main operational responsibility for public safety rests with the Director of Operations and Asset Management. All incidents involving members of the public are reported and investigated in accordance with legal requirements and our own procedures.

Public safety initiatives and performance

Despite our best efforts, during 2006, three fatalities occurred. Two of the incidents were as a result of attempted thefts of equipment components, with the third involving a member of the public climbing a terminal pole.

All incidents were fully investigated by the Company and relevant external authority, which confirmed that all appropriate notices and controls were in place. Following the increased incidence of equipment theft during 2006, which can place offenders in dangerous situations and put power supplies at risk, we have undertaken a number of actions during the year to raise awareness about the dangers of accessing our equipment and to highlight the effect and illegal nature of this type of activity. In addition, we are working in conjunction with Crimestoppers to target areas worst hit by these thefts.

We offer a free 'Cablesafe' service, giving advice and support on cable location and safe working practices for individuals or companies who intend to excavate near to cables. We distribute cable plans for evacuation works close to our equipment, as well as free safety advice. We have also run 'avoidance training' courses for companies working round our network, and this programme achieved the National Grid October construction award for sharing of good ideas.

Central Networks provides information, advice and education to the public to help them stay safe around our network. It also provides a considerable amount of education resources to schools, which, as highlighted previously, includes two 'Power Discovery' trucks that provide a free purpose-built mobile classroom facility to schools in the region to educate children on the dangers of electricity, attending a number of safety education events around the region and running safety promotion campaigns. The business also produces a wide range of literature to potential risk groups (such as agricultural businesses, angling clubs and home electric safety), and has a display trailer which takes the electrical safety message to a range of county shows in the region during the summer months.

The key safety messages focus on the importance of keeping away from overhead power lines with kites, fishing rods, etc., being aware that electricity can jump gaps, and keeping out of substations.

Safer Environment Fund

The Safer Environment Fund is a fund is open to all community groups that want to build safer and better environments. The fund supports projects that will have a lasting and positive affect on the community's environment. From improving safety in a children's playground to building a nature reserve on some old waste ground, Central Networks consider a wide range of applications. It invites applications for funding up to a maximum of £2,500 and grants may be awarded for the full amount of the project or for part of the project. In 2006, 31 projects were given funding under this programme.

Electric and magnetic fields

Electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are produced by all electrical installations and equipment such as domestic appliances, overhead lines, underground cables and many transport systems. There is some public concern about a possible connection between these fields and health. Central Networks, together with the industry trade body the Energy Networks Association and its other member companies, take any suggestion of a risk to health seriously and are fully committed to the health, safety and welfare of the public and employees.

Over the last 20 years, major research programmes throughout the world have explored whether EMFs have an adverse impact on health. Although the balance of the evidence is against a link between ill health and EMFs, some studies have suggested that exposure to EMFs may be harmful to health. International bodies such as the World Health Organisation and the International Agency for Research on Cancer and, in the United Kingdom, the Radiation Protection Division of the Health Protection Agency (RDP) have investigated this issue and have concluded that there is no established cause-and-effect link between EMFs and ill health. They have, however, recognised that the possibility cannot be ruled out.

The RDP is the UK body with statutory responsibility for advising on EMFs. ENA member companies, including Central Networks, carry out their activities in accordance with RDP guidance.

Central Networks, the ENA and its other member companies are committed to responsible behaviour and recognise that precautionary approaches are part of European and UK environmental policy. However, we believe that present scientific evidence does not justify any change either in the industry's operating practices, which are in line with current guidance, or in the everyday utilisation of electricity by our customers.

While there remains any uncertainty over the EMF and health issue, Central Networks and other ENA member companies will continue to support and contribute to the funding of credible research into EMFs. This includes an independent trust which supports biological research.

We will continue to monitor closely scientific research, overseas developments and major reviews of scientific, medical and engineering research concerned with electric and magnetic fields.

We are committed to providing members of the public, the industry's employees and customers with full and up-to-date information about EMFs and health.