Scaffold Swings Over to Power Line

An electrician working for a utility company died of electrocution when an aluminum pole he was touching struck a 12,000 volt primary power line. Aluminum and other metals easily conduct electricity.

The aluminum pole was part of a scaffold he was helping to dismantle. It went out of control and fell against the power line.

Guide ropes or similar controls must be used at all times when handling unwieldy equipment such as scaffolds. Investigation of this case concluded that a rope tied to the top of the scaffold pole would have provided control to lower the pole and prevent it from swinging out onto the power line. Use of non-conductive footwear for work around electrical installations was also recommended. Most importantly, arrangements should be made to have the power shut off.