Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Colorado: Truck Driver Electrocuted When the Discharge Chute of a Hay Grinder Contacts 7200 Volt Power Line

摘要

A 31-year-old truck driver was electrocuted when the discharge chute of the hay grinder he was moving came into contact with a 7200 volt power line. The victim was positioning a truck-mounted hay grinder when the elevated end contacted the overhead service line. The victim was preparing his equipment to grind one-ton bales of hay. The grinder is mounted on a semi-trailer and is equipped with a hydraulically operated discharge chute that can be raised to accommodate various trucks that haul the ground hay. The victim was standing on the ground operating the hydraulic controls for the chute. As he raised the chute to allow clearance for the hauling trucks, the top edge of the chute contacted the power line. The Colorado Department of Health (CDH) investigator concluded that, in order to prevent future similar occurrences, employers should: (1) Survey the work site to identify hazards posed by the locations of overhead electrical lines. All employees should then be informed of the possible hazards. (2) Affix safety signs onto the equipment to warn the user of potential hazards of overhead power lines.