Analysis of Fatalities and Injuries Due to Powerline Contacts

Abstract

Since many construction worker fatalities and injuries are the result of contacts with overhead powerlines, a detailed investigation was conducted on approximately 500 powerline accidents. The objective was to learn more about the conditions and circumstances surrounding these accidents. Because nearly 60% of the accidents involve equipment, these types of accidents were examined in greater depth. Cranes and boom trucks are most frequently involved in equipment powerline contacts. Most equipment contacts are with the boom or the load line. Carrying or handling metallic items, especially aluminum ladders, are the cause of many nonequipment-related fatalities. Human contacts most frequently occur with the hands. The ages of workers killed in powerline contacts are generally in the range of 20–29 years. These contacts when considered by the hour of their occurrence in the day are similar to the pattern observed in other construction accidents. The occurrence of these contacts by the month of the year show an unusual peak in October, a phenomenon that is not explained by the data.