ACCIDENT SUMMARY - Electrical Shock
| Accident Type: | Electrical Shock |  |
| Weather Conditions: | Clear/Hot | |
| Type of Operation: | Masonry Contractor | |
| Size of Work Crew: | 6 | |
| Collective Bargaining | No | |
| Competent Safety Monitor on Site: | No | |
| Safety and Health Program in Effect: | Inadequate | |
| Was the Work site Inspected Regularly: | Yes | |
| Training and Education Provided: | No | |
| Employee Job Title: | Cement Finisher | |
| Age & Sex: | 34-Male | |
| Experience at this Type of Work: | 10 Years | |
| Time on Project: | 1 Day |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT
Two employees were spreading concrete as it was being delivered by 1 concrete pumper truck boom. The truck was parked across the street from the work site. Overhead power lines ran perpendicular to the boom on the pumper truck.
One employee was moving the hose (elephant trunk) to pour the concrete when the boom of the pumper truck came in contact with the overhead rover line carrying 7,620 volts. Employee received a fatal electric shock and fell on the other employee who was assisting him. The second employee received massive electrical shock and burns.
* Safety training requirement was not being carried out at time of accident.
INSPECTION RESULTS
OSHA cited the employer for not instructing each employee to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions which apply to the work and work areas. Employer was also cited for operating equipment within ten feet of an energized electrical, ungrounded transmission lines rated 50 kV or less and not erecting insulating barriers.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS
- Train employees to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions which apply to the work environment [28 CFR 1926.21(b)(2)].
- Avoid operating equipment within ten feet of electrical distribution or transmission lines rated 50 kV or less unless the line has been de-energized and visually grounded, or unless insulating barriers -- not part of or attached to the equipment -- are provided [29 CFR 1926.600(a)(6)].
SOURCES OF HELP
- OSHA General Industry Standards [CFR parts 1900-1910] and OSHA Construction Standards [CFR Part 1926] which together include all OSHA job safety and health rules and regulations covering construction.
- OSHA-funded free consultation services listed in telephone directories under U.S. Labor Department or under the state government section where states administer their own OSHA programs.
- OSHA Safety and Health Training Guidelines for Construction (Available from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161; 703/487-4650; Order No. PB-239-312/AS): a set of 15 guidelines to help construction employers establish a training program in the safe use of equipment, tools, and machinery on the job.
- Courses in construction safety are offered by the OSHA Training Institute, 1555 Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018, 312/297-4810.
- Electrical Standards for Construction (OSHA 3097) which highlights electrical safety rules for construction.
- Ground-Fault Protection on Construction Sites (OSHA 3007) which explains ways to guard against electrical shock on the construction site through use of ground-fault circuit interrupters.
NOTE: The case here described was selected as being representative of fatalities caused by improper work practices. No special emphasis or priority is implied nor is the case necessarily a recent occurrence. The legal aspects of the incident have been resolved, and the case is now closed.
