Fatal Accident Circumstances and Epidemiology (FACE) Report: Equipment Operator Electrocuted by Contact with Power Line, November 2, 1988

摘要

On November 2, 1988, a 47 year old male equipment operator was electrocuted when he contacted a 7,600 volt power line. The employer was a large municipality with over 9,000 employees. The victim had worked for the municipality for 22 years, 8 of which he spent in his current occupation of equipment operator. At the time of the accident the victim was a member of a crew installing new traffic signals at a four way intersection. The victim picked up one end of a cut steel wire laying on the ground and looped it over his shoulder. He then climbed into the bucket of the vehicle and began raising the boom. While attempting to position the bucket close to the metal pole, the victim apparently misjudged either the height of the power lines or their proximity to the metal pole. He contacted the bottom phase of the 7,600 volt power line with his bare head. He remained in contact with the power line until the line burned in two. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Recommendations include coordinating activities with the utility company before working near energized power lines, ensuring that minimum clearances between boomed vehicles and power lines, and developing a comprehensive safety program including written procedures for work near energized power lines.