Fatal Accident Circumstances and Epidemiology (FACE) Report, Lineman Supervisor Dies Following Contact with Energized Conductor, October 25, 1988

摘要

On October 25, 1988, a 40 year old male lineman supervisor died when he contacted an energized conductor. The employer was a small rural electric cooperative employing 72 individuals. The victim had been employed by the company for 18 years. On the day of the incident the victim was in charge of a crew which was rebuilding power lines. The victim climbed the pole to install a fuse, rather than use the available fiberglass hot stick from the ground. He took both a fuse and an 8 foot long fiberglass hot stick up the pole with him. He disconnected the deenergized line, and then grasped the metal brace supporting the fuse holder to pull himself further up the pole. As he did so he contacted the energized 7200 volt lower line of fuse holder with his right forearm, establishing a path to ground from his right arm, through his body, out his feet and down the pole which had recently been coated with creosote. He was held on the pole by his lineman's belt and climbers, until other members of the crew arrived and lowered him to the ground. The victim was pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. The cause of death was electric shock. Recommendations include teaching personnel to avoid exposure to electrical hazards, and enforcing the use of personal protective equipment.