Electrocuted

It is important that we all learn from accidents and the misfortune of those
involved - so that other workers and their families can avoid the loss of a
loved one and the pain and financial costs of an accident.
Introduction
Information about a fatal accident was reported by ABS CBN group to TSSD
Chief, Mr. Atheneus A. Vasallo, that morning of June 9, 2016 at 10:30,
Thursday Initially, the accident reported had already happened on Monday of
June 6, 2016.
The dump truck was unloading the base course. The truck was moving slowly
forward as boom was rising while unloading. As the boom was returning
down, the boom caught the electrical wire of Cagayan de Oro Electric Light
and Company (CEPALCO). The driver learned the situation, signaled Manuel
Cabaez Dacot and Ajid Wagas to push away the electrical wire. Ajid Wagas,
the victim, allegedly went up to the trucks boom. He was trying to move the
wire with a straw. The witness added the victim was not wearing PPEs as he
was moving the wire. He then accidentally electrocuted himself with the high
voltage wire following a loud explosion. The victim was thrown down to the
pavement after the explosion and consequently to his death. People around
was shocked and could not believe what just happened. Also, it was observed
that the truck tires were also damaged.
The safety officer asked for an apology and accepted that it was her mistake
for not informing DOLE-X within 24 hours from the time of the fatal accident.
She thought it was all necessary to take care of the lost colleague and the
bereaved family then.
Analysis
By Ishikawa Fish Bone
Other Precautions:
Contact with overhead power lines is a major cause of fatalities in the
construction industry. A study of accidents involving power line contacts has
indicated that the use of dump truck is one of the common cause of fatalities.
Its easy to prevent serious accidents involving dump trucks and power lines.
The following safety tips should be adhered to when operating a dump truck
near overhead power lines.
Keep a safe distance between yourself and power lines. Ten feet is
generally considered the minimum safe distance. Always consider all
power lines as energized and dangerous. Any contact with a dump

truck boom will probably cause serious injury to operators and workers,
and damage equipment.
Look up before you unload the load from the dump truck. Make sure
there are no overhead lines before you start.
Educate your crew, particularly new employees about the dangers of
overhead power lines.
Be safe! The dump trucks boom must kept at least 10 feet away from a
normal distribution power line at all times. And that includes the load
line and the load. Skilled dump truck operators know that distances in
the air are hard to judge, and that a spotter is a good, safe idea.
Never move a dump truck boom under a power line unless there are
adequate clearances.
Source: Electrical Safety Hazards Awareness
(EFCOG Electrical Safety Improvement Project)
Key/ Regulatory Findings:
Due to the accident, the victim and victims family should get the proper
assistance or benefits from the company according to Philippines benefits
summary released by department of labor and employment, republic of the
Philippines
According to chapter 7, article 194, Death
Under such regulations as the commission may approve, the system
shall pay to the primary beneficiaries upon the death of the covered
employee under this title, an amount equivalent to his monthly income
benefit, plus ten percent thereof for each dependent child, but not
exceeding five, beginning with the youngest and without substitution.
Funeral benefit a funeral benefit of three thousand pesos (3,000)
shall be paid upon the death of a covered employee or permanently
totally disabled pensioner. ( as amended by section 3, Executive order
No. 179)
Conclusions and recommendations
Electricity is widely recognized as a serious workplace hazard, exposing
employees to electric shock, burns, fires, and explosions. According to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 250 employees were killed by contact with electric
current in 2006. Other employees have been killed or injured in fires and
explosions caused by electricity. It is well known that the human body will
conduct electricity. If direct body contact is made with an electrically energized
part while a similar contact is made simultaneously with another conductive
surface that is maintained at a different electrical potential, a current will flow,
entering the body at one contact point, traversing the body, and then exiting at
the other contact point, usually the ground. Each year many employees suffer
pain, injuries, and death from such electric shocks. In our case study, the
worker did not wear all necessary electrical personal protective equipment
such as asbestos gloves, barriers, shields or insulating materials to protect
against all potential electrical hazards. All workers who are working with
electrical works should be trained in safety-related work practices) In addition
to being trained in and familiar with safety related work practices, unqualified

employees must be trained in the inherent hazards of electricity, such as high

voltages, electric current, Any electrically related safety practices not
specifically addressed by Sections 1910.331 through 1910.335 but necessary
for safety in specific workplace conditions shall be included.
The case study demonstrate the pain, suffering and financial loss incurred by
employees and their employers as a result of workplace accidents. The need
to bring workplace accidents to an irreducible minimum is therefore clear and
reinforced. There are messages here for both employers and employees.
Employers should now understand that an employee and their family can be
affected by an accident, to a far greater extent than was generally realized.
There is now highlighted, a moral as well as a legal and business imperative
to prevent accidents. Employees should now understand the serious costs
and effects an accident can have on them and their families. A number of
recommendations arise from this research.
Using the right tool
Operating competently
Using PPE

Eyes on the path (e.g., walking at a safe pace looking to avoid

slipping/tripping hazards)
Eyes on work (e.g., avoiding distraction)

Avoiding the line of fire (e.g., positioning body parts away from
potential hazards)

Avoiding pinch points (e.g., positioning the body to avoid being trapped
by moving parts)
It's easy to prevent serious accidents involving cranes and power lines.
The following safety tips should be adhered to when operating a crane near
overhead power lines.
Keep a safe distance between yourself and power lines. Ten feet is generally
considered the minimum safe distance. Always consider all power lines as
energized and dangerous. Any contact with a crane boom will probably cause
serious injury to operators and workers, and damage to equipment.
Look up before you unload or load a crane from a truck or lowboy. Make
sure there are no overhead lines before you start.
Educate your crew, particularly new employees about the dangers of
overhead power lines.
Utility companies have a ten feet (10') minimum approach distance to
overhead power lines.
Be safe! The crane's mast or boom must be kept at least 10 feet away from a
normal distribution
power line at all times. And that includes the load line and the load. Skilled
crane operators
know that distances in the air are hard to judge, and that a spotter is a good,
safe idea. When you
must work near any power line, use the shortest boom possible. Never move
a crane under a

power line unless there are adequate clearances. If your crane boom or mast
contacts a power line, the operator should immediately try to swing the boom
into the clear. If it is necessary to leave the equipment, anyone on the
machine should jump entirely clear of the unit. Jump so that both feet hit the
ground at the same time, and keep them close together. Walk away in a small
step shuffle because a lot of power flowing into the ground can create
differences in electrical potential around the problem: enough difference to
actually shock anyone whose feet are too far apart. Once clear of the
equipment, do not return for any reason until the power line has been
grounded or determined to be safe by your electric utility or the owner of the
line. And keep any others around from touching or approaching the
equipment. Contact with overhead power lines continues as a major cause of
electrical accidents, injuries and fatalities.
When an electrical accident occurs, due to the effect of muscle clamping, a
victim is often incapable of moving or releasing the electrical conductor.
Attempts to rescue an accident victim may pose as great a hazard for the
rescuer as it does for the victim. Caution should be a primary consideration
during any electrical accident or emergency. There should always be an
emergency response plan for scheduled electrical maintenance or work.
Electrical Rescue Techniques
Approaching the accident:
Never rush into an accident situation.
Call 911 as soon as possible.
Get the aid of trained electrical personnel if possible.
Approach the accident scene cautiously.
Examining the scene:
Visually examine victims to determine if they are in contact with energized
conductors.
Metal surfaces, objects near the victim or the earth itself may be energized.
You may become a victim if you touch an energized victim or conductive
surface.
Do not touch the victim or conductive surfaces while they are energized.
De-energize electrical circuits if at all possible.
Methods to de-energize:
An extension or power cord probably powers portable electrical equipment.
Unplug portable electrical equipment to remove power.
Open a disconnecting device or circuit breaker to de-energize fixed electrical
equipment.
Hazards and solutions:
Be alert for hazards such as stored energy, heated surfaces and fire.
If you cant de-energize the power source use extreme care:
Ensure that your hands and feet are dry.
Wear protective equipment such as low voltage gloves and overshoes if
available.
Stand on a clean dry surface.

Use nonconductive material to remove a victim from the conductor.

High voltage rescue:
Special training is required for rescues if high voltage is present.
Protective equipment such as high voltage gloves and overshoes must be
worn.
Special insulated tools should be used
Insulated tools:
Insulated tools, with high voltage ratings, are a lifesaver!
Use devices such as hot sticks or shotgun sticks to remove a victim from
energized conductors.
In some cases, nonconductive rope or cord may be used to remove a victim
from a conductor.
Rescuing the victim:
Stand on a dry rubber blanket or other insulating material if possible.
Do not touch the victim or conductive material near the victim until the power
is off.
Once power is off, examine the victim to determine if they should be moved.
Give First Aid.
First Aid:
A victim may require Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
If the victim is breathing and has a heartbeat, give first aid for injuries and
treat for shock.
Ensure the victim gets medical care as soon as possible.
Provide medical personnel with information on voltage level, shock duration &
entry/exit points. The treating/attending physician must have detailed specific
information to properly diagnose and care for the victim. The physician must
determine whether the victim should be sent to a Trauma or Burn Center.
Stay with the victim until help arrives.