24.08.2023

Operator electrocuted

A crane operator died yesterday when the boom of his crane contacted overhead power lines in Palm Bay, to the south of Orlando in Florida.
Please register to see all images

The crane, a Grove truck crane owned by Capt’n Hook’s Crane Service was working on a new construction lifting and placing metal roof trusses at a residential construction project. After positioning the crane on an unpaved driveway and extending the boom to complete the first lift, the operator was electrocuted when the hoist rope and chain set came into contact with two 13,200 volt power lines causing a fire which looks to have burnt out the superstructure. We don’t know if the operator,34, tried to remain in the cab which can sometimes be a safe place, or he climbed out due to the fire. Reports indicate that the shock was such that he died instantly.
Please register to see all images

We will of course update this item as we learn more. The local TV news clip below shows more detail.


UPDATE
Following an OSHA investigation Capt’n Hook’s Crane Service was assessed $26,585 in health and safety fines. The violations include Capt’n Hook’s Crane Service’s failure to ensure that the crane was not operated near power lines and was on a stable foundation for operation, and also for employing an uncertified crane operator.

OSHA Area Office Director Erin Sanchez said of the accident, “Fatal accidents in construction often occur because of the employer’s failure to follow basic safety protocols and industry standard regulations. In this case, Capt’n Hook’s Crane Service cut corners and made the conscious choice to send an uncertified crane operator to a job site. That decision led to this worker losing their life.”