Download - Tribute To A Lineman
Fatality Case Review
Region IV - OSHA
Tribute To A LinemanThe call comes in late at nightWire down people out of lights
You kiss your wife you don’t feel like goingThe rains pouring and the wind is blowingLong hours and bad weather, we face it all
The jobs not easy, but it was our callWe wanted to be Lineman, and climb the tall pole
To keep the meters turning is our main goalIt takes pride, integrity and a whole lot of guts
To do our job, though some think us nuts
Tribute To A LinemanLineman have a bond, a brotherhood you might say
It comes from the hazards and danger they face everyday
You trust your pole buddy you know he’ll be thereTo give you a hand high in the airThe wire is big the voltage is high
With God’s grace, he won’t let you dieWhen the work is all done, and day is through
We go home to our families, proud of what we do
Author William D. Jenkins
Fatality #1A lineman climbed a pole to examine a transformer for loose connections. The lineman grabbed both secondary lugs with his hands, and was electrocuted.
Accident Scene
Employee made contact with the hot and neutral secondary conductors
Recommendations:
Hold job briefing prior to the start of work.
Test poles before climbing.Wear rubber gloves when
working on energized parts.
Recommendations:
Require FR or 100% cotton clothing.
Prohibit the use of alcohol when on call or on duty.
Monitor employees on call to ensure compliance.
Fatality #2A right-of-way crew had broken a pole and anchor while clearing the right-of-way. A three man construction crew replaced the pole and installed a new anchors. While transferring the distribution lines from the old pole to the new one, and employee was electrocuted.
Recommendations: Determine existing conditions
prior to the start of work. Hold job briefings or Tailgate
meetings. De-energize and ground lines. Proper Usage of Personal
Protective Equipment.
Recommendations: Protector gloves not worn
over rubber gloves. Annual review of training. Certification of training. Maintain minimum
approach distance.
Fatality #3A construction crew was assigned to install service for two new businesses. The crew replaced a 35' dead end service, with a 40' banked service pole. A journeyman lineman, elevated in an aerial lift, was electrocuted when his arm made contact with the energized portion of a cutoff switch.
Recommendations: Maintain proper clearances. Insulate or isolate employees
from energized parts. Ground or barricade vehicles.
Recommendations: Flame retardant Clothing:
Inspect clothing regularly. Replace worn/damaged
clothing. Follow manufacturers
recommendations for laundering.
Fatality #4An employee wearing a synthetic tee shirt was electrocuted and severely burned when he came into contact with an energized cutoff switch. The employee was directed by his foreman not to go up in the bucket.
Recommendations: Require employees to wear flame
retardant clothing or 100% cotton clothing of the appropriate weight
Require employees to tie off when elevated in an aerial lift.
Inspect vehicles prior to usage. Ground or barricade vehicle(s).
Recommendations: Remove from service, or repair
defective equipment. Perform dielectric tests annually. Maintain test results for 5 years. Air test rubber gloves daily prior to
usage. Install backup alarms on all vehicles. Report all fatalities, immediately.
Fatality #5The victim, took a rubber blanket off the phase he was working on in order to close and properly aligned a disconnect switch. He then reached around and behind the disconnect to tighten the insulator with an un-insulated ratchet. The victim was electrocuted when his arm made contact with the energized potion on the switch.
Recommendations: Conduct job briefing. Require employees wear the
appropriate clothing. Ensure appropriate clothing is
being worn. Maintain proper clearances. Ground or barricade vehicle(s).
Fatality #6Employer hired to remove a switch. A groundsman retrieves a piece of copper wire from the back of a digger/derrick truck as the boom makes contact with an energized power line.
Recommendations: Designate an observer. Maintain proper clearances. Air test rubber gloves. Ground or barricade vehicle(s). Require employees to stay clear
of vehicle when boom is elevated near energized parts.
Wrapping It UpWrapping It Up
Education and training without follow-up and enforcement, is
INEFFECTIVE