CASE STUDY

ASPAN, BALMES, BATHAN

V2A
EESafe

INTRODUCTION
If the work is not properly controlled it can cause injury or
death.
Overhead power lines are hazard to workers and coming close
to these lines can lead to death of workers. Everybody who works
near overhead power lines need to know its dangers and what to
do if they are in contact with it. Lack of training and poor
management cause accidents like in the given situation. A worker
from an electrical service company needs to change the bulbs
from the pole-mounted light fixtures in a parking lot of a
shopping center using a truck with a roof-mounted ladder. The
worker was burned to death due to the trucks contact with an
overhead power line in the area.

INTRODUCTION
What do they need to do to prevent incidents like this?
Moreover, how should they respond when the vehicle is in
contact with the overhead power line?
In this case study, the students are only going to tackle
about the different ways how to respond in the said
scenario and what to do to prevent it. The worker itself
will not be discussed if he or she is trained or professional
since it is not stated in the text.

OVERVIEW / ANALYSIS
From the scenario given, the worker was supposed to
change the light bulbs from the poles in a shopping
centers parking lot. His technique is that he will park the
truck with a roof-mounted ladder near the pole then
extend the ladder until he would reach the light bulb then
he will drive the truck to the next pole without lowering
the ladder.

OVERVIEW / ANALYSIS

After he changed the first bulb, he went back to the truck

going to the next light pole.

He didnt noticed that the overhead power line touched

the steel cable attached at the top of the ladder.

He then realized that something was wrong so he got out

of the truck.

While his feet stepped at the concrete and his hand

holding at the door of the truck, he completed the path to
ground.

The truck was completely energized. Fire began to occur

on the truck and he was also set on fire.

OVERVIEW / ANALYSIS

After five minutes, fire, police, and paramedic units

came. Utility workers arrived after ten minutes and deenergized the power line.

He was burned to death.

Based on some research, overhead power lines flows with

about 230V (domestic voltage) to 50, 000 V. Approximately
five people die each year from accidental contact from
overhead power lines.

STATUS REPORT
The worker was changing the light bulbs from the poles in
the parking lot of a shopping center which have some
overhead power lines above it. He tried to move his truck
without lowering the ladder after changing the bulb from the
first pole; as he moves the truck, the top of the ladder had a
contact with the power lines which caused an accident. He
went out of his truck not knowing that he will complete the
path of the current flowing from the power line, then to the
truck, going to the ground. Due to too much voltage, the
truck was set on fire as well as the worker. He was burned to
death.

CASE PROBLEM
As stated in the introduction, there are two problems in the
given situation:
How to avoid overhead power lines?
What to do when the vehicle is in contact with it?

CASE PROBLEM
According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health
Administration), there must be a safe distance between the
overhead power line and the ladders or other materials that
can reach it. The safe distance is at least 10 feet away from
the power line to the ladder. Moreover, the worker should have
lowered the ladder first before moving to the next pole. If
he/she is informed about the power lines present near where
the poles are, he should have thought of that. The vehicle may
also have an engine lock installed in order for it not to start if
the ladder is not yet pulled down. If there are overhead power
lines in the area, lighting systems that is serviced from the
ground are recommended for safety.

CASE PROBLEM

The person must stay inside the car instead of trying to go away
from the vehicle.

If possible, contact the Emergency Services and ask for help

and tell them that there are overhead power lines involved. If
you cannot use your mobile phone, get someone else to call
them.

Do not let other people come near your vehicle since they may
receive serious injuries.

If fire is possible to occur, you need to get out of the vehicle.

Jump out clearly and try not to have a contact with your
vehicle. Jump as far as you can and run at least ten meters
away from the zone.

CASE PROBLEM
In addition, make sure that the worker is properly trained
and have the knowledge in performing electrical-related
activities. However, even though the person does not
execute the said activity, they are also prone to this kind of
accident especially when they are driving vehicles like dump
trucks and cranes.
Always assume that overhead power lines are live and do
not try to touch it. There is always a way to reduce or to
remove the risk, know the precautions.