Inspection Detail

Inspection: 315342865 - Par Electrical Contractors

Inspection Information - Office: San Diego District Office

Investigation Summary

At 4:00 p.m. on November 3, 2011, Employee #1 was working as an electrical power installer and repair technician for PAR Electrical Contractors. PAR Electrical Contractors provided electrical construction services for high voltage transmission and distribution facilities. He was at a remote location for the Sunrise Powerlink project, at the EP 280 Tower Site, in Ocotillo, CA. He was part of a crew that included a manager and six coworkers. All were employees of the employer. The crew was connecting the C, D, and B legs on the base portion of an overhead power line transmission tower. One of the legs folded as they were being bolted together by the crew. Employee #1 belted up and was attempting to attach the A leg to the B leg while standing on a 9 foot (2.7 meter) extension of the A leg. The leg had an anchor, which comprised 3 heavy duty metal spikes. It was attached individually with two tag lines and a guy. The lines, though, were not long enough or spread out at the proper angles to keep the A leg stable. When Employee #1 unbuckled to climb down from the extension, the leg that he was standing on moved and twisted around. Employee #1 rode the leg about 35 feet (10.7 meters) to the ground. Employee #1 hit the ground with his feet and back simultaneously. He sustained a fractured L1 vertebra and two broken ankles. Paramedics transported Employee #1 by air to the UC San Diego Medical Center in San Diego. Employee #1 was in the ICU for his injuries. He was in the hospital for more than 24 hours for surgery and treatment. Equipment and materials involved were four transmission tower legs, two anchors, two tag lines, an 0.375 inch (9.5 millimeter) guy, bolts, nuts, and safety harnesses with belts with clips and lanyards. The employer reported the accident to DOSH at 5:23 p.m. on November 3, 2011.

Keywords: FRACTURE, POWER LINE WORKER, CONSTRUCTION, ELEC UTILITY WORK, FALL, POWER TRANS APPAR, FALLING OBJECT, TRANSMISSION TOWER, VERTEBRA, UNSTABLE POSITION