Inspection Detail

Inspection: 110293180 - Vaughn Electric Co.

Inspection Information - Office: Toledo Area Office

Investigation Summary

AN EMPLOYEE WAS INSTALLING A TRANSFORMER ON A NEW 40-FOOT, CLASS 3 UTILITY POLE. THE 7200-VOLT PRIMARY OVERHEAD POWER LINE ON THE POLE WAS ENERGIZED. THE TRANSFORMER WAS LOCATED ABOUT 8 INCHES BELOW AN EYEBOLT THAT SUPPORTS THE POWER LINE CONDUCTOR. THE EMPLOYEE WAS WORKING FROM A TWO-PERSON BUCKET OF AN ALTEC AERIAL LIFT WITH A 50-FOOT REACH. ALTHOUGH INSULATING EQUIPMENT WAS AVAILABLE, THE POWER LINE WAS NOT COVERED WITH INSULATING EQUIPMENT, NOR WAS THE EMPLOYEE WEARING RUBBER INSULATING GLOVES OR SLEEVES. THE EMPLOYEE WAS EITHER INSTALLING A JIB ON THE POLE OR ADJUSTING IT, WHEN HE CONTACTED THE OVERHEAD LINE WITH HIS LEFT SHOULDER. FROM THE BURN MARKS ON THE EQUIPMENT, IT APPEARED THAT THE EMPLOYEE HAD ONE OR BOTH HANDS ON THE JIB WHEN HE CONTACTED THE POWER LINE AT A POINT NEAR THE DEAD-END CLAMP. THE EMPLOYEE WAS ELECTROCUTED.

Keywords: ELEC PROTECT EQUIP, OVERHEAD POWER LINE, ELECTRICAL, POWER LINE WORKER, ELECTROCUTED, E PTD, ELEC UTILITY WORK, AERIAL LIFT