28.03.2013
Line worker shocked
A man was reportedly thrown from the aerial lift he was using in Brisbane, Australia earlier today after touching overhead power lines and receiving an electric shock.
The man, 25, employed by utility company Energex was apparently working on a pole replacement job and maintenance work on the low voltage network, when the incident occurred. He is said to be in stable condition in hospital.
A statement from the company said: "Energex is now liaising with his family and offering all possible support. The Queensland Ambulance Service commended the crew on site for their efforts in performing critical CPR until paramedics arrived. The crew is now being supported by Energex Managers and Safety Advisors."
Vertikal Comment
Thankfully it looks as though this man will be OK, but one cannot but wonder why this sort of incident still occurs. Working on live power lines without the necessary precautions and most critical of all IF he was ‘thrown’ from the platform by the shock, why was he not wearing a harness?
vertikal editor
Information that we were given - which is rarely ever taken from press releases - suggested that he had in fact been thrown clear.
In checking other sources we did note at the time that few mentioned this supposed fact, although at least one other did - which is why we said 'reportedly' - We do tend to jump on the harness issue it is true, and who knows IF he was thrown clear .... the lack of a harness might have saved his life?
We have seen too many cases of boom lifts remaining perfectly stable after a catapult effect while one or more men are on the ground dead - so yes it is an issue close to our heart.
We are well aware that Australia is well ahead of most of the rest of the world when it comes to harness use - we not a UK focused news service by the way. Your point is well made though and utility companies around the world are usually very good at enforcing the harness rule - but that does not mean the rule is always followed!
If you have more information on this incident or others we would appreciate it and will of course update it.
In the meantime many many thanks for the comment and please do keep them coming.
ewpservice
Once again you have jumped on the lack of harness, I do agree these do save lives. However in this incident there is no mention of the operator being thrown out of the cage in any of the press releases. Energex and every other electric provider insist on harness ( mandatory in Australia )and the safety polices and disciplinary procedures for breaches is far stricter than the UK