ACCIDENT SUMMARY No. 44
| Accident Type: |
Electrocution |
 |
| Weather Conditions: |
Clear/Dry |
| Type of Operation: |
Pole Setting |
| Size of Work Crew: |
2 |
| Collective Bargaining |
No |
| Competent Safety Monitor on Site: |
No |
| Safety and Health Program in Effect: |
Yes |
| Was the Worksite Inspected Regularly: |
No |
| Training and Education Provided: |
No |
| Employee Job Title: |
Material Hauler |
| Age & Sex: |
55-Male |
| Experience at this Type of Work: |
5 Years |
| Time on Project: |
1 Day |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
One employee was unloading a 40-foot wood telephone pole from a pipe rack mounted on a truck crane. The truck operator raised the 17-foot boom to provide sufficient distance for the employee to place a cable sling around the pole and then attach the sling to the crane hook. However, in raising the boom, the operator made contact with overhead power lines. The victim reached for the metal bicycle-chain style come-along which secured the pole to the truck rack and received a fatal electrical shock.
* Firm had a safety and health training program, but it had not been updated to cover changes in pole setting procedures.
INSPECTION RESULTS
Following its inspection, OSHA cited the employer for four serious violations involving training, hazard identification, and minimum safe distances from overhead electrical lines.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
- Instruct employees to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions applicable to their work [29 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)].
- Determine existing conditions, such as the voltage of overhead power lines, by inspection or test before beginning work [29 CFR 1926.950(b) (l)].
- Do not operate equipment where any part is within the prescribed distance of electrical power lines rated over 50KV [29 CRF 1926.550(a)(15)(ii)].
- When in transit, with no load and the boom lowered, crane operators must maintain a clearance of four feet for voltages less than 50KV, 10 feet for voltages between 50KV and 345KV and 16 feet for voltages up to and including 750KV [29 CFR 1926.550 (a)(15)(iii)].
SOURCES OF HELP
- OSHA General Industry Standards [CFR parts 1900-1910] and OSHA Construction Standards [CFR Part 1926] which together include all OSHA job safety and heatth rules and regulations covering construction.
- Electrical Standards for Construction (OSHA 3097') which highlights electrical safety rules for construction.
- OSHA-funded free consultation services listed in telephone directories under U.S. Labor Department or under the state government section where states administer their own OSHA programs.
NOTE: The case here described was selected as being representative of fatalities caused by improper work practices. No special emphasis or priority is implied nor is the case necessarily a recent occurrence. The legal aspects of the incident have been resolved, and the case is now closed.
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