Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine
By: Jason Contant
An Alberta worker was injured when he tried to remove an article (shoes) from an overhead power line and received an electrical shock.
Just before 5 pm on January 4, 2008 the ATCO Electric Ltd. employee was working alone in the village of Wanham, Alberta. Attempting to remove a pair of shoes that had been slung over the power line, an electrical contact resulted in the worker suffering burn injuries, says Barrie Harrison, a spokesperson for Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry (AEII). The worker, 28, was airlifted to Grand Prairie, 90 kilometres away, and then transferred to a hospital in Edmonton for treatment. AEII officers issued one order against ATCO Electric requiring the company to investigate and determine the cause of the accident, Harrison says. Having to deal with articles tossed onto power lines is hardly uncommon, says ATCO Electric spokesperson Kris Sakowsky. “It’s certainly something we observe on a regular basis and something our workers have to contend with,” Sakowsky says. “It’s amazing what you see hooked up into the power lines these days.”
In general, for those who are working near power lines, ATCO Electric recommends the following precautions be taken:
– workers stay back at least 10 metres from any downed power line or exposed underground cable;
– workers who operate machinery or equipment look up and check for overhead power lines before beginning work;
– if machinery contacts an energized line, move it away from the line to break contact or remain in the machine; and,
– if there is a fire, jump off of the machine, keeping both feet together. Once clear of the machine, shuffle away, never allowing the heel of one foot to move beyond the toe of the other, or hop with both feet together to a minimum distance of 10 metres.
My opinion
The electrical code would cover something like this. My only problem is that this type of injury could have been prevented if there were a set of safe work instructions to deal with such an issue. The Electrical Code as well as common sense could have governed the creation of proper safe work practices and it would be up to the company to properly implement them. Since the accident happened in Alberta, I would not be surprised that any such issues would get the attention required. (NOT!!!)
Safety is just a word but a frame of mind. If everyone gets involved, from government to employers to workers, then we can begin to cut down the number of accidents, especially those that cause lost time injuries. The humour in all this is the false notion that safety has to be an expensive venture. The savings far outweigh the expenditures so please attempt to implement safe work practices at your company. Design all of your work and incorporate safe work practices during the design phase of the business.
Remember In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”
HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Electrical Safety Awareness’ and ‘Lockout and Tagout’. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.
We can also be reached at info@hrsgroup.com
Work and Play safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Foundation Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.
Wonderful material.
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing.
This is good material.
I’m flattered by your kind words, thanks for sharing this info with your readers!
I love what you are doing here.
Thanks for the blog. Really thank you!
Check out this site!
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing.
Love it!
I want to see more from you.
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing.
This is good stuff.
I came to your page and noticed you could have a lot more visitors.
Many thanks for revealing your web-site.
I appreciate you sharing this blog post.
Hey, thanks for the article. Really, thank you! Will read on…
Appreciate you sharing, great blog.
I am obliged for the blog article.
An ideal posting!
You are really amazing!
I think we have a winner here.
Thank you so much!
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing.
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing.
World class!
You are the best!
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing.
I think we have a winner here.
I’ll come back later.
Do unto others.
You have a gift!
I wonder what comes next!
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing.
I cannot wait to read more from you.
World class!
I love it!
Thank you!
I think we have a winner here.
I love this article!
One of the best blog posts!
Good for you!
This is good stuff!
You are the best!
You are one of the best!
One of your best!
You are world class!
You are the best!
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing.
The Magic Formula For health and safety!
Incredible piece of work!
I cannot wait to read more.
Thank you so much!
Nice touch!
One of your best!
Many thanks!
Excellent!
Many thanks!
Best ever!
I love this site!
Good article!
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing.
Excellent!
Awesome!
I will follow you anywhere.
Keep up the good work!
Great article!
Nicely done!
I wanted this all along!
Great article!
You get a big star for this!
You have my attention!
I love it!
I thank you!
Excellent!
Thanks!
Great article!
I really like this site!
Good for you!
Good for you!
Nicely put!
Excellent!
One of your best!
I thank you!
You are the best!
Excellent work!
You have my full attention!
The actual key to success is to know what you are doing and what is necessary to follow through!
Good for you!
You are real good.
I wonder what comes next?
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing!
I will be back again!
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing!
This is good stuff!
Good for you!
I cannot wait to read more!
I have your back!
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing!
Every little thing you do works well here.
I thank you for all this!
I thank you!
All that everybody else is doing with regard to health and safety is to follow your lead.
I wanted to thank you for all the great information you are providing!
Good for you!
Very informative post, I’m a regular reader of your blog.
I simply had to say thanks yet again.
This is my first time paying a visit here.