01.07.2011

Another power line accident

A man was critically injured in Charlotte, North Carolina yesterday after the boom of his utility truck came into contact with overhead power lines.

The incident occurred in the car park of the Sharonview Federal Credit Union during the installation of a new sign. The low level sign was being installed below high tension power lines by RiteLiite Signs of Concord, North Carolina.
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The scene after the operator was taken away but before the boom truck was moved

Operator, using the machines base controls, was lifting on a single part of line with the boom trucks aerial work platform basket left in place on the boom tip. As he lowered the sing into position the basket – which extended well beyond the crane boom nose- touched the power lines - the power to ran to earth though the operator, inflicting severe burns and life threatening injuries.

The local power company Duke Energy shut the power off, leaving 2,800 homes and businesses in the area without power while the boom truck was removed.
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It is clear to see how close the boom was to the power lines, the empty platform made contact

Vertikal Comment

There are occurrences such as this every week around the world, this in spite of all the warnings that have been given out by manufacturers over many years and all the decals stuck to cab doors. One assumes that operators of this type of equipment and application where power lines are a constant concern, are well trained and aware of the risks.

One has to assume that the sign company in this case checked out the location when it quoted for the job?? Fact is that a long boom crane was totally inappropriate for this job. There was no way this lift could have been carried out within such a crane within industry guidelines.

It needed a crane that could lift safely below the power lines which are unusually high. Even then there are those who would not be comfortable with any lifting underneath live power lines.

Perhaps the industry needs to step up its efforts warning operators and employers about the dangers of working close to power lines?