Fatal Incident Summary Report: Electrocution of a Painter, July 14, 1983

摘要

The case of an electrocution of a painter while working on an electrical transmission tower on July 14, 1983 was examined. The incident occurred while a painter was painting the framework of an electrical tower member located 94 feet above the ground. Coworkers reported hearing a crackling noise and shouts and saw the victim fall about 20 feet, hitting several cross members on the way down. Paint on the victim's sleeve indicated that he brushed a grounding line with a static charge that had been reported to get as high as 1,000 volts. It was believed that the charge in the line contacted by the victim was large enough to induce cardiac arrythmia and loss of consciousness. No entrance or exit wounds were found on the body, and no other pathology was evident on autopsy. It was recommended that ground lines be discharged prior to work of this kind and that the use of test instruments to help workers judge the charge on ground lines be considered.