Ground Crew Worker Dies on Power Pole

A groundsman on a power line crew received a fatal electrical shock when he climbed a power pole.

The three-person crew was installing a new power transmission line to replace an older one. The current was still being carried on the old system, but the new poles and lines were located close to the old one.

The victim was supposed to confine his work to operating vehicles and equipment on the ground to assist the two qualified linemen on the crew. One of them was late for work, delaying the job. While the victim and the other lineman waited for their co-worker to arrive at work, they drove in grounding rods at the base of the poles. The victim left this job and climbed one of the new poles to staple a ground wire. He came in contact with a live wire on the old system. The shock blew him free of the wire and his body slipped partway down the pole.

This fatality is a classic case of the dangers of doing work you are not trained or authorized to do. Never tackle a job unless you know what you are doing and you have the go-ahead from your boss. Learn CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) so you can help save a life if you ever come across a victim of electrocution, drowning or other incidents. Do not endanger yourself while attempting rescue.