TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Government safety inspectors discovered serious workplace safety violations on Wednesday (July 16) at a Taiwan Power Company (Taipower, 台電), the island's state-owned electricity provider, repair site in rural Yizhu Township (義竹鄉) of southern Taiwan's Chiayi County. The inspection revealed workers had failed to properly utilize essential personal protective equipment, most critically the absence of required insulating gloves during high-voltage operations, directly contributing to a life-threatening electrical accident.
The safety breach resulted in a Taipower employee sustaining a severe electric shock while conducting emergency repairs to power infrastructure damaged by Typhoon Danas. The tropical cyclone toppled 2,454 utility poles across southern Taiwan, officials confirmed, representing the most extensive power grid damage in Taiwan's recorded history. Medical personnel continue to monitor the injured worker, who remains in critical condition at the Chi Mei Medical Center in Liouying, Tainan City (柳營奇美醫院), while Taipower crews work to restore electrical service across Chiayi and Tainan counties.
Wu Chun-chieh (吳俊傑), who directs the Southern Division of Taiwan's Occupational Safety and Health Center, confirmed that all repair operations on the affected power line have been suspended. Regulatory authorities have mandated Taipower submit detailed safety improvement plans before receiving authorization to resume work in the area. The power company faces potential penalties ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$300,000 (approximately US$1,024 to US$10,239) for violations under Taiwan's Occupational Safety and Health Act (職安法).
During the inspection, Wu emphasized that safety officials have formally reminded Taipower management about their legal obligation to enforce safety protocols among field personnel, even during extended disaster response operations. The dual challenges of restoring electrical service while strengthening workplace safety measures now dominate Taipower's recovery strategy as crews continue their efforts to rebuild the damaged power grid across southern Taiwan. ◼
(At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$29.3)
