Fatal Accident Circumstances and Epidemiology (FACE) Report: Machine Operator Electrocuted When Crane Contacts Overhead Power Line, December 5, 1988

摘要

On December 5, 1988, a 24 year old male boring machine operator was electrocuted when the crane moving the pipe he was guiding contacted an overhead power line. His employer was a small company engaged in horizontal boring operations. All employees were trained on the job. The victim had been employed in the capacity for 2 years. On the day of the incident a three man crew was working at an excavation pit 7 feet deep, 5 feet wide and 24 feet long. The foreman was operating the truck mounted, 8 ton capacity crane which he parked perpendicular to the pit facing down a slight incline. There was a 12,000 volt power line 20 feet above grade, adjacent to and parallel to the pit. The operator was lifting a pipe via a sling when it became lodged due to misalignment in the pit and the victim attempted to right it by pulling the pipe toward him with one hand. At this point the boom contacted the overhead power line, electrocuting the worker. Recommendations are made concerning clearance between cranes and overhead power lines, deenergizing power lines before working near them, use of nonconductive tag lines, training workers in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and implementing a safety program for employees.