Tree trimmer electrocuted in Indiana, August 6, 1987.
Source
NIOSH 1987 Oct; :1-4
Abstract
A tree trimmer performing contract work for a utility company was electrocuted when he contacted a 7200 volt power line. The victim worked for a large company which had no formal safety program but relied upon on the job instruction by the crew foreman. He was probably aware of the hazard presented by overhead power lines. On the day of his accident he was part of a four trimmer and one foreman crew trimming trees along a power line right of way in a residential area. Several lines ran through the trees in this area. The victim was tied off in a tree and had finished trimming two major branches. He leaned back to prune small branches above his head, and the back of his neck came in contact with the 7200 volt line. Since his lifeline was twisted through the various branches of the tree, his fellow workers were not able to free him from the electrical line. After about 25 minutes, employees from the local electrical utility had deenergized the line and removed the victim. Cause of death was listed as electrocution. It is recommended that formal training be given regarding hazards of overhead power lines, and that a job site survey be undertaken prior to beginning any work involving power lines.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; FACE-87-65; Region-5; Electric-power-transmission-lines; Accident-analysis; Accident-prevention; Safety-practices; Electrical-hazards
Document Type
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation; Field Studies
NTIS Accession No.
PB88-188818
Identifying No.
FACE-87-65
Source Name
Division of Safety Research, NIOSH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Morgantown, West Virginia, Report Number FACE-87-65, 4 pages
