1

Introduction

Two civilian contract workers were found dead while working under overhead powerline.
Their job was to clean surrounding area using an excavator. It was believed, while doing the
work, the arm of the excavator was entangled with Aerial Bundle Cable (ABC) overhead
powerline. The insulation of the cable was damaged due to release the arm of the excavator
from the powerline. The excavator was found submerged 2 feet in the water.
This incident was studied under safety model. Safety model are divide into three;
recognize possible hazards, evaluate hazards and finally make suggestion to control the
hazards.

2 Body
Safety model should be done. Safety model have a 3 main component. Recognizing
hazards, evaluating hazards and controlling hazards.

I. Recognize hazards
Before do the works, the workers should know the situation that can put them in danger.
Other than that they must know where to find help to recognize the hazards. In this case
the possible hazards were:
No authorized person (spotter)
Arm of excavator touched the powerline
The insulation of powerline damaged (live wire)
Wet condition (submerged)
Improper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

II. Evaluate hazards
After all possible hazards are found, each hazards are evaluated.

No authorized person (spotter)
The spotter defines were someone that looks for locates and report something.
During working to clear the surrounding process, the contractor do not provided
of an authorized person or a spotter to monitor the work. The spotter has been
2

train to applied safe work environment and because of unawareness hazard
working under powerline, this accident happen.



Arm of the excavator touched the powerline
Without the supervision, the workers did not aware the arm of excavator touches
the powerline. They still continue to do the work by release the arm by force
without considering the hazard.



The insulation of powerline damaged (live wire)
The insulation of powerline was damaged due to process of releasing the arm of
the excavator. The conductor inside the powerline is now exposed. Most of the
excavator parts are made from metal. The current flow through the arm of
excavator and shocked the worker who drove the excavator.

Wet condition (submerged)
If working under wet condition, the risk of getting electrical shock is higher
because the body resistance greatly reduced. This effect is more towards the
second worker because he is standing inside 2 feet of water.

Improper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
In this case, the worker who drove the excavator did not wear glove and suitable
boot. As a result in his carelessness, he gets electrical shock by touching the
steering of the excavator and connects to the ground through his feet. He received
an electrical shock but cannot release his arm because of high current that
immobilize his muscle.

III. Control hazards
The main approach in controlling hazards were the person should be very familiar to te
job, other that ,it knew the how to use specific control that help to safe and use a good
judgement and common sense.After all hazards have been evaluated, through safety
model step, the next step is finding the suggestion to control the hazards.

3

No authorized person (spotter)
Position miners as "spotters" to alert the contractor worker who drove the
excavator of the proximity of their equipment to energized powerlines. Since the
overhead powerline cannot be de-energized, the spotter can guard area under the
powerline to make sure no workers get near to the overhead powerline. The
spotter must keep the workers in a safe distance with the overhead powerline.


Arm of excavator touch the powerline
Whenever work is to be performed near overhead lines, make sure the workers
and any equipment or tools that operating or handling must be kept a safe
distance from power lines. Since this LV transmission line under OSHA
recommendation, the safe distance is 10 feet from the powerline.
OSHA has prescribed certain distances that you, your tools, and equipment must
be kept at least 10 feet from power lines of 50,000 volts or less. For higher
voltages, see table below. When uncertain of the voltage, stay 18 feet away (the
maximum approach distance) or call FPL or your local utility for your area.
FPL Powerline Voltages OSHA Minimum
Approach Distance
13,000 - 69,000 volts 10 feet
115,000 - 138,000 volts 11 feet
230,000 volts 13 feet
500,000 volts 18 feet


The insulation of powerline damaged (live wire)
Before work started, either has the power lines de-energized or grounded. If the
wires are grounded, the leakage current will flow through the ground wire and
will minimize the risk getting electrical shock.


Wet condition (submerged)
It is better to work in dry condition. If work in wet condition, more precaution
should be taken. For example, put a warning sign because water is good electric
conductor.



4


Improper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Workers must be specifically instructed to wear proper protective equipment,
such as rubber gloves and boot. This is required since they are working in wet
condition.



3 Conclusion

As a conclusion, safety model must always be applied while doing any work. The
workers should be brief and trained about the safety procedures to minimize the risk
getting injured or death. The safety of workers should be taken seriously by the employer
by providing safe work environment and proper equipments.



4 References
http://www.fpl.com/safety/working_with_power.shtml
Note safety and hazards
www.wikipidea.org