Fatal Accident Circumstances and Epidemiology (FACE) Report: Construction Laborer is Electrocuted When Crane Boom Contacts Overhead 7200-Volt Powerline in Kentucky, June 24, 1991.

摘要

The case of a 37 year old construction laborer who was electrocuted while pulling a wire rope load choker attached to a crane cable toward a load was investigated. The employer was a crane rental service that also provided services in steel erection and demolition. Monthly safety meetings were held. The company had been subcontracted to install steel roof joists and roof decking above the existing roof of a one story school building. A crane was located between the school and a three phase, 7200 volt powerline. On the day of the accident the crew began setting the joists on the side of the roof away from the crane. The crane operator swung the boom toward the stack of joists nearest the powerline. The victim grabbed the choker with his left hand and began to pull the choker and crane cable toward the stack of joists and away from the line. As the victim grabbed a steel rod that had been driven into the ground with his right hand, the crane cable contacted the powerline 36 feet above the end of the choker, causing his electrocution. It was recommended that compliance be observed with existing regulations pertaining to clearance distances between cranes and powerlines; that a designated signal person be used when necessary; that a jobsite be evaluated prior to start of work to determine the safest areas for material storage; that the local electric utility be contacted when work is to be performed in proximity to overhead powerlines; and that employees be instructed to use nonconductive links, chokers, or taglines when working in proximity to powerlines overhead.