FACE-85-22: Firemen Electrocuted While Rapelling Down Building in West Virginia
Introduction
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH), Division of Safety Research (DSR), is currently
conducting the Fatal Accident Circumstances and Epidemiology
(FACE) Project, which is focusing primarily upon selected
electrically-related and confined space fatalities. By
scientifically collecting data from a sample of fatal accidents,
it will be possible to identify and rank factors that influence
the risk of fatal injury for selected employees.
When the accident occurred on May 13, 1985, at 9:00 p.m., four
volunteer firemen were removing the siren from atop their fire
station. After the siren had been lowered to the ground
(approximately 35 feet), three of the firemen were going to
rappel down the front of the building. The first fireman to
descend attached his rope to a support rod on the roof and, as he
tested the rope, contacted a 7200 volt power line. The fireman
was electrocuted.
Contacts/Activities
The Deputy Chief Medical Examiner for the State of West Virginia
requested technical assistance from NIOSH/DSR and this case has
been included in the Fatal Accident Circumstances and
Epidemiology (FACE) Project. On May 20 and 21, 1985, the DSR
research team, which consisted of an epidemiologist and research
industrial hygienist, conducted a site visit, met with the
assistant fire chief, interviewed firemen who were at the fire
station at the time of the accident, and photographed the
accident site.
Synopsis of Events
On the evening of the accident, four volunteer firemen decided to
remove the station house rooftop siren for repairs. The firemen
ascended to the top of the fire station (approximately 35 feet
high) by climbing a radio transmission tower located at the rear
of the building.
After reaching the rooftop, the siren was removed from its
support structure and lowered to the ground by a rope. When the
work was finished on the roof, three of the firemen decided to
rappel down the front of the building (a practice which had been
done for years). The fourth fireman (inexperienced in rappelling)
was to descend by the rear tower, which was used to ascend to the
rooftop.
The fire fireman secured his rope and leaned out over the rooftop
to test the rope before starting his rappel. One of the remaining
firemen, who was going to rappel from the roof, said he heard
"a loud buzz and looked up to see sparks flying." The
victim's back contacted a 7200 volt power line; his feet were
still on the fire station. (The 7200 volt power line was
approximately 5' diagonally from the roof.) The second fireman
grabbed the rope, attempting to pull the victim loose, when the
victim fell to the ground. A nearby EMT was called and
transported the victim to the hospital. The fireman was
pronounced dead-on-arrival.
Conclusions/Recommendations
Recommendation #1: Firemen should be trained at specific
locations that provide a relative degree of safety.
Discussion: The practice of allowing firemen to rappel
down the front of a building (fire station) in close proximity
(approximately 5' diagonally from the roof top) to high voltage
lines was hazardous and fatal. Although this is a volunteer fire
department and the firemen's time is donated, the city should
provide training facilities and develop procedures that will
prevent this type of accident from reoccurring. If the fire
station is to be used for training (i.e., repelling, ladder
drills, etc.), the facility should be evaluated for safety
hazards, particularly electrical hazards.
Recommendation #2: Firemen should be trained in
recognition and appreciation of hazards and preventive measures
for personal safety.
Discussion: Although firemen are trained in various
firefighting techniques, it would appear additional training is
needed in hazard recognition, particularly electrical hazards.
This training should include recognition, awareness, and
appreciation of electrical hazards, along with necessary
preventive measures to avoid future accidents of this nature.
Training of emergency service personnel in rappelling should
address electrical hazards.
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This page was last updated on 11/21/05