The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Limited Transmission Licensee conducted a refresher training from Monday, 9th February to Friday, 20th February 2026 for linespersons and supervisors aimed at strengthening safety compliance and enhancing technical competence in overhead line operations.
The training focused on reinforcing knowledge in safety procedures and line technology, with particular emphasis on safe working practices in high-risk environments.
Accorording to Senior Transmission Overhead Lines Engineer for the Central Region, Sanweck Salima, who also served as course coordinator and facilitator said Transmission Overhead Lines management organised the refresher after recognising the critical nature of the work undertaken by transmission linespersons.
Salima said the training was prompted by the need to ensure staff continue operating in a safe environment.
“Transmission linespersons work on dead, isolated and earthed high-voltage overhead lines, often at considerable heights. This exposes them to multiple risks, including falls and other occupational hazards. The refresher was aimed at reminding them of safety procedures, the hierarchy of hazard controls and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE),” he said.
Salima said beyond safety, the training also covered overhead line patrol techniques, structure integrity checks, maintenance procedures, fault patrols and rectification processes to ensure reliability of the transmission network.
“Participants included linespersons and supervisors drawn from all Transmission Overhead Lines zones across Malawi. This marked the first cohort, with a second group expected to undergo similar refresher training in due course,” he said.