Inspection Detail

Inspection: 308220565 - Diverse Networks, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Nc Department Of Labor - Raleigh

Investigation Summary

On October 23, 2004, a technician received work order from Diverse Networks, Inc. to re- install an aerial drop from a tap to a house. The technician arrived at the job site at approximately 3:00 p.m. on October 23, 2004. The technician put the aerial line up and thought he had the line high enough. A truck came by and the line was torn down. The technician contacted Employee #1, the technician's area supervisor, and explained to him that he could not get the cable up high enough to clear the roadway; the cable was too heavy and too long to pull manually. The technician said that he needed the Diverse Network's bucket truck. Employee #1, however, made the decision not to use the bucket truck. Employee #1 arrived on the site after dark. There was a tree in between poles Number ESX90 and Number ESX88, therefore, the cable had to run through the tree branches. The technician stated the cable got hung in a tree limb that was in line of the two utility poles. Employee #1 asked the technician to give him a power saw, so that Employee #1 could trim some tree branches in the tree. Employee #1 cut some limbs while climbing the tree. The technician stated that it was dark and he was shining a flashlight into the trees so that Employee #1 could see how to untangle the cable line out of the tree branches. The technician also stated that he could not see the power line because it was dark. Employee #1 asked the technician to go and get an aluminum extension pole out of Employee #1's truck. When Employee #1 finished and began climbing down, a big spark occurred. Employee #1 fell to the ground and was electrocuted. He was killed.

Keywords: SHOCK, SAW, TREE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, AERIAL LIFT, CABLE LOGGING