Inspection Detail

Inspection: 303922249 - City Of Bandon

Inspection Information - Office: Medford

Investigation Summary

On March 3, 2001, Employee #1, a journeyman lineman for the City of Bandon, was preparing to climb a power pole. He put on his climbing gear and put his climbing strap around the pole. He started to climb the pole and stopped to test his equipment. He then proceeded to climb the pole. Employee #1 stopped at approximately 20 feet up the pole and looked at the fuse he was going to pull. He then went unconscious and started to slump on the pole. As his waist got near the level of his feet, the climbing gaffs kicked out of the pole. Employee #1 fell with his legs on each side of the pole and leaning back. He came down the pole to the ground, causing severe trauma to his chest. He regained consciousness and started complaining of shortness of breath. While attended to by his coworkers, an ambulance was dispatched. They arrived and proceeded to help him. Employee #1 was transported to Bay Area Hospital where he died a short time later.

Keywords: CHEST, FRACTURE, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, POWER LINE WORKER, FALL