Inspection Detail

Inspection: 310061585 - Pacific Gas & Electric Company

Inspection Information - Office: Oakland District Office

Investigation Summary

On September 25, 2007, Employee #1 was performing work on a distribution switch log. Employee #1 was on the final operation of the switch log, which was to open up a switch on a 65-ft pole. The pole was off a road that was one lane in each direction, with heavy traffic. Employee #1 took in consideration the traffic controls he would have to implement if he were to use his bucket truck for an operation that would take one minute to perform. Therefore, Employee #1 climbed the pole to reach the switch approximately 20 ft above ground. Employee #1 began to ascend the pole. Per the company's policy, employees are to climb belted. Employee #1 was wearing his pole climbers and positioning belt. Employee #1 was approximately 15 ft up when he stepped his left foot into the pole, and was extending his right foot up into the pole. The left gaff gave out and with both hands on his belt, Employee #1 slid down the pole to the dirt ground. Employee #1 landed on his left upper arm and lay on the ground. After reassessing the situation and accounted for all of his equipment, Employee #1 climbed up the pole again to open the switch. Afterwards, Employee #1 received another emergency call for response. In route to the emergency call, Employee #1 left a message for his supervisor that he was hurt. When he arrived at the emergency call, Employee #1 was not feeling well and called his partner to meet him at the location. Once Employee #1's partner arrived, Employee #1 began to spit up blood. Emergency Medical Services was called. Employee #1 had suffered seven broken ribs, a punctured lung, bruised pericardium, and a separated shoulder. Employee #1 was hospitalized for one week.

Keywords: FRACTURE, LUNG, SHOULDER, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, RIB, FALL, UTILITY POLE, PUNCTURE