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Concrete pump truck operator electrocuted when boom contacts overhead power Line - Alaska.

Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, FACE 97AK013, 1997 Jun; :1-6

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/stateface/ak/97ak013.html

20026903

On May 5, 1997, a 21 year old, male concrete pump truck operator (the victim) was electrocuted when the boom of the truck he was operating contacted a 14.4 kilovolt (kV) overhead power line. The victim had completed the process of cleaning the pump line with the two lower sections of the boom elevated, in an oblique position relative to the truck. As he collapsed the boom, the end of the middle section touched an overhead high voltage power line. The concrete truck driver (the witness) who was standing in rear of the pump truck and facing the victim, heard a zapping noise. The victim collapsed still holding the remote control box. The witness lifted the remote control box from the victim's hands using a 2x4 wood stud and then checked the victim for a pulse. Emergency medical services were called. The victim was airlifted to the nearest medical center but was pronounced dead on arrival. Based on the findings of the investigation, to prevent similar occurrences, employers should: 1. ensure that all operators receive adequate training to recognize and avoid hazardous conditions; 2. do not operate equipment where any part is within the prescribed distance of electrical power lines unless the line has been de-energized and visually grounded or unless insulated barriers are installed; 3. consider offering training options for first aid and basic life support to employees. Additionally, manufacturers and owners of early model pumping equipment should: 4. consider upgrading cable-attached remote controls to radio remote controls.

Accident-analysis; Accident-potential; Accident-prevention; Accidents; Injuries; Injury-prevention; Safety-education; Safety-equipment; Safety-practices; Safety-measures; Traumatic-injuries; Region-10; Work-practices; Work-analysis; Work-environment; Occupational-accidents; Occupational-hazards; Truck-drivers; Trucking; Electric-properties; Electrical-conductivity; Electrical-hazards; Electrical-properties; Electrical-safety; Electricity; Equipment-operators; Construction-equipment; Construction-industry; Construction-workers

19970622

Field Studies; Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation

Cooperative Agreement

1997

PB2011-101398

A02

FACE-97AK013; Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U60-CCU-007089

NAICS-23

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

AK; WV

Alaska Department of Health and Social Services