Inspection Detail

Inspection: 314573916 - Pacific Gas & Electric Company

Inspection Information - Office: Sacramento District Office

Investigation Summary

On September 20, 2011, Employee #1, a lineman of Pacific Gas & Electric Company was part of a 3 man crew charged with replacing a rotten wooden brace on a power pole in the rear yard of a residential yard in West Sacramento. After arriving at the site, the crew readied the site and Employee#1 climbed the pole first to deenergize the pole-mounted transformer and secondary conductors. Linesmen are to use two flip lines (leather and rope) while climbing a pole but may release one of them once they get into their work location. Employee #2 then climbed the pole to assist in wrecking out the rotten brace. With the old brace gone, Employee#1 drilled one hole then stepped down a bit and drilled a second hole through the wooden power pole. Employee #1 opted to clean out the second hole once or twice and it was during this process that the flip line failed causing Employee #1 to fall to the ground. It's estimated that he fell around 25 feet. Employee #1 sustained 9 fractured ribs (both sides), a punctured lung, concussion, 4 fractured vertebras (T2-10) resulting in surgery to fuse, torn ligaments in the back, and a cracked sternum. Employee #1 was released from the hospital on September 30, 2011.

Keywords: FRACTURE, POWER LINE WORKER, RIB, FALL, CONCUSSION