Northern Ireland Electricity has sent a strong safety warning to contractors working near electricity equipment to follow safe working practices and report any damage caused immediately.

The warning follows a recent occurrence when over 440 customers in Fivemiletown lost electricity in mid-morning.

" This is the third time in six months that customers in the area have been affected by third party damage to the electricity network", said a NIE spokeswoman.

She explained that the power cut was caused when a digger operator, working at a new housing development on the Brookborough Road, hit and damaged a high voltage underground cable.

"The damage was not reported to NIE at the time, and a fault subsequently developed, affecting electricity supplies. NIE engineers responded immediately, isolating the damaged section of cable, and restoring the majority of customers within an hour. Remaining customers were restored at 1.00pm and 4.00pm after repairs and safety checks had been completed", she added.

Fiona McClintock, NIE Customer Relations Manager for the area urged contractors working in the vicinity of underground cables to follow safety precautions prior to work commencing;

"Contractors should contact NIE on 08457 643 643 in good time, requesting information about electrical equipment in the vicinity of their work. NIE will issue a 'mark up' drawing, free of charge, detailing all the information available on electrical equipment in the area where work is to be carried out. This document should be fully briefed to all subcontractors working on site.

"Contractors should exercise extreme caution when working in the vicinity of underground cables", the NIE spokeswoman added, "using safe working practices, such as digging trial holes and digging by hand to avoid any damage to or alteration of the location of the cable.

Contractors should also check the NIE Safety website "http://www.niesafety.co.uk" for additional safety advice.