What happens when a Hiab truck hits a powerline? I found out exactly what this electrical safety nightmare looks like last Monday. During a meeting with a prospective client, the power suddenly went out. We all went outside to see a truck with a Hiab crane on the back of it had taken out a powerline.
I had an interesting dialogue with the truck driver: Me vs. TD (Truck Driver)
Me: ‘Sir, I need you to stay in the truck. Everyone else stay back’
TD: “Why? It’s a phone line.’
Me: “It is not a phone line the power just went out in this building. I am trying to call DELTA now, please stay in the truck.”
TD: “I’m getting out.” [He jumped]
Me: “You’re lucky you didn’t end up with melted boots and liquified internal organs.”
What would you do in this S.T.I.C.K.Y. electrical safety situation?
If you are wondering what S.T.I.C.K.Y. stands for, it’s ‘Something That It Could Kill You’. I learnt that in a one-day workshop led by Todd Conklin and it was an appropriate acronym for the situation.
If your vehicle or mobile plant comes in contact with energised powerlines:
- Stay in the cab, some people suggest driving clear if possible. My thoughts are stay put so you don’t make things worse.
- Call 111.
- Tell everyone to stay at least 10 metres away.
- Only exit the cab when someone from the emergency response team states that the line is de-energised and you are clear to move.
- If you have to exit the vehicle in an emergency throw the rubber mats from your cab down and jump onto them.
What caused this event at first glance?
Here’s the basic fact pattern.
- There were some big metal poles in a fenced paddock that needed to be removed.
- The Hiab truck driver had loaded the poles onto the truck; however, he had not fully stowed the boom of the Hiab crane.
- The half-extended boom struck the powerlines as the truck was driving out of the paddock.
Reading this, the average person would say ‘job done’, let’s blame ‘TD’ and move on.
What’s the real cause this event?
Here are some additional facts:
- The big poles being moved is a reoccurring process
- The paddock is fully fenced
- The only gate to the paddock is directly under powerlines
When you consider the likelihood of this event re-occurring suddenly the options of either moving the gate or putting the powerlines underground becomes ‘magically’ feasible.
Neither of these options involves questioning TD’s intelligence or parentage. Although, when Delta catches up with the property owner and gives them the bill for fixing the line ‘TD’ will probably be called a few choice names after all.
As always, if you have anything to add to the discussion on electrical safety please call Sarah on 0272 007 680 or email sarah@employmenow.co.nz.
Have a safe and productive week,
SB