Recycling Worker Electrocuted

A man working in the recycling business was electrocuted when he was helping move some scrap metal stored beneath a power line.

He was guiding a truck boom to pick up a vehicle axle. As he grabbed the hook on the crane cable he pulled the boom into the overhead utility line. He died instantly of electrocution.

Construction, farming, transportation, warehousing, emergency response, painting, window washing, landscaping and many other kinds of work have situations in which workers are in danger of contact with power lines.

Before doing work around a power line, contact the utility company to have the line de-energized or adequately guarded before starting any work. Observe minimum safe distances with ladders, scaffolds, tools, heavy equipment and other objects that could touch the power lines. Before taking on work in the area of power lines, you must receive training in recognizing and avoiding hazards.