A worker in Kennesaw, Georgia was seriously injured in an electrocution accident last month.The man, a welder was in a bucket truck when the boom of the truck came in contact with a high-voltage overhead power line.It was a 4160 V power line, and the impact immediately resulted in serious electrical injuries to the man.He was rushed to the local hospital burn unit, and then transferred to a burn center in Augusta.
The man’s employer, Vulcan Materials and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration are investigating the work accident. In the event there is a personal injury claim against a third-party in addition to any workers’ compensation claim, the reports from these investigations will be vitally important. to the personal injury lawyer handling the case.
Many occupations require workers to be in close contact with high-voltage power lines.These workers include construction workers, mining workers, truck drivers, people in the tree trimming and tree service industry, and agricultural workers.Electrical utility workers are also often in close contact with power lines.However, the difference between electrical workers and other types of workers is that electrical utility workers are generally trained to identify the dangers of electrocution in their work, and avoid these dangers.Other types of workers may not have the benefit of such training.
It’s not just people on trucks or cranes who are at risk of coming in contact with a high-voltage overhead power line.People who are working on ladders, or standing on construction scaffolding, or using window washing equipment may also be at risk of contact with power lines.
Many electrocution accidents involving high-voltage overhead power lines that Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyers come across involve a failure to judge the height of the truck or the equipment, and the height of the line.Employers need to ensure that workers have been properly trained to judge electrical hazards.Workers must be trained to check the height of the vehicle and compare this to the power line, before traveling ahead, in order to avoid contact with the line.
Employees must also be trained to maintain a safe working distance from all high tension power lines.Ideally, all materials and equipment should be at least 10 feet away from power lines, and a greater distance in the case of high-voltage power lines.
Whenever a worker is in proximity to a high tension power line, there must be another worker whose job is to identify electrical injury or electrocution risks.The operator of the vehicle on his own may not be able to identify risks.
In some cases, it’s also possible for an employer to get in touch with a local utility company, and ask the company to de-energize the lines temporarily.In fact, it’s a good idea to keep the utility company in the loop, and work with the utility company to minimize the risk of electrical hazards for employees.
The Atlanta Workers’ Compensation lawyers at the Katz Personal Injury Lawyers represent persons injured in workplace accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across Georgia.If you have been injured in a workplace accident, speak with the Workers’ Compensation lawyer at our firm to learn your rights.