Inspection Detail

Inspection: 106102072 - Dillard Smith Construction Company

Inspection Information - Office: Mobile Area Office

Investigation Summary

A contractor for an electric utility was installing a new phase conductor to an existing overhead power line. A power line worker for the contractor was working from the bucket of a Reach All aerial lift (Model No. AP52MH; Serial No. 7814), which was rated for 69 kilovolts. The employee, who had about 8 years of experience as a power line worker, was equipped with a hard hat, a jumper cable, rubber insulating gloves, and a live-line tool (shot gun stick). The superintendent for the operation was switching the line from a location about 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) away. The superintendent and his crew were reducing the load on the line, so that the power line worker could safely apply a jumper to the conductor he was installing. The ground worker working with the power line worker was in communication with the superintendent's crew. The ground worker told the power line worker that the load had been dropped, and the power line worker started attaching the jumper cable. The ground worker looked up to find the power line worker slumped over the bucket. The ground worker, who did not feel qualified to operate the lower level controls on the aerial lift, requested help by radio. The injured employee was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead of electrocution. He had entry and exit wounds on his right hand, by the fingers, and on his left foot. The boot had been torn off this foot by the electric current. The power line worker had not been wearing his rubber insulating gloves. (The superintendent stated that he had told everyone to wear them.) Apparently, the power line worker's right hand contacted the power line at some point in the operation. The live-line tool was still connected to one of the jumper clamps; this clamp was fastened to the new phase conductor.

Keywords: ELEC PROTECT EQUIP, OVERHEAD POWER LINE, ELECTRICAL, POWER LINE WORKER, ELECTROCUTED, LIVE-LINE TOOL, E PTD, ELEC UTILITY WORK, AERIAL LIFT