Manager of the Barbados Light & Power Company (BL&P) Stephen Worme said there were some areas where numerous signs and posters were affixed to their poles and this practice could be very problematic.

"From a safety perspective, our guys climb these poles and it is difficult when they try to get their spurs into the pole and cannot do so because of staples or nails or some other solid means of sticking things to poles.

"Even if the signs are removed – and we do remove quite a few – the means of affixing them still poses a problem for our crew members," Worme said.

Adding that it was also against the law, he said it was quite a task monitoring this illegal activity since they have over 30 000 poles across the island.

In a paid advertisement published in the SUNDAY SUN of July 10, the BL&P pointed out that non-directional signage on its utility poles constituted advertising and was against the Town and Country Planning Act.

Worme said they at BL&P had realised the need to heighten the public's awareness to certain issues at particular times of the year as some persons operate in ignorance.

"We are appealing to persons because some people simply see nothing wrong with affixing their posters or signs to utility poles, but there can be consequences," Worme said.

While no serious injuries have been recorded the island's power supply manager is calling on all Barbadians to comply with the law and to assist in ensuring their crews can work in as safe an environment as possible.