Inspection Detail

Inspection: 960265.015 - Duke Energy Ohio, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Cincinnati Area Office

Investigation Summary

On February 27, 2014, a crew of six employees were engaged in distribution line removal activities from wooden poles on a disconnected service. Employee #1, a 40 year old male trainer and crew leader, was working with five electrician apprentices. Employee #1 was responsible for instructing apprentice workers on the procedure to follow in order to remove the lines properly. The employer required that employees perform a two-step procedure prior to climbing a pole. The first step was referred to as "sounding the pole", a process of striking the pole with a hammer at various locations and listening for any sounds that would indicate a defect within the pole. The second step is known as "probing", which is accomplished by first excavating around the pole below grade with a sharp object and using the object to push at the pole at a down facing angle and around the base of the pole to inspect for any defects within it. At approximately 1:30 P.M. one of the apprentices performed sounding the pole step, prior to climbing the pole involved in the accident and was positioned near the top of the pole. Employee #1 then climbed up the pole and was near the apprentice when the pole cracked and fell while both employees were still attached to the pole. The wooden pole snapped at the base from the weight of the climbers. Two other employees on site witnessed the incident. Employee #2, an apprentice, suffered a broken leg and pelvis and bruised ribs. Employee #1 was able to walk around after the accident; however he died later from an internal blunt force injury to his chest and abdomen.

Keywords: Fall, Falling Object