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13.10.2016

Two burnt by crane shock

A boom truck lifting roof trusses on a new housing estate/sub division building site in Forsyth County, North East of Atlanta, Georgia, touched a 115,000 volt transmission line on Wednesday, sending the power down through the crane to earth. But along the way it struck two men working alongside the crane.
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The crane was lifting roof trusses and cladding panels onto a home when it touched the power lines


Both men were very badly burnt and were airlifted to hospital in Atlanta where they are said to be in a very serious condition. An Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspector visited the site and conducted an investigation. Other construction workers who witnessed the incident were said to be extremely traumatised and were sent home. The crane, 0a mid sized Manitex working with fully extended four section boom was undamaged.
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The crane was working alongside a 115,000 volt transmission line



UPDATE

One of our readers has added a comment below recommending the following video from WokSAFE Canada, it provides excellent advice should a crane boom contact an overhead power line.

Comments

Great video From Canada regarding electrical contact from Canada Worksafe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBUvYh93pQc

Oct 17, 2016

Good Afternoon Mr Editor,

Working near Overhead Power Lines is Inherently Dangerous as Electricity always wants to go to Earth and will 'Arc’ , that is Jump surprisingly Long Distances, especially if a Crane Boom or Jib is working Nearby.

HSE Guidance Documnet HSG6 recommends the following Safe System of Work for Cranes and AWP's working near OLE as an absolute minimum….

5.8 Metres clearance for Low Voltage wires.
and
7.3 Metres for High Voltage Wires.

Trusting these Two Men make a Speedy Recovery to Full Health DG.

Kind Regards
Mike Ponsonby

Oct 16, 2016