Cranes being operated near overhead powerlines present a serious risk to workers from electrocution.  According to the bureau of labor statistics electrical injury causes one out of every ten workers deaths and is the third leading cause of work place death. Crane injury electrocution accidents account for more than 70 deaths per year.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued an alert based upon its investigations showing “that employers, supervisors, and workers may not be fully aware of the hazards of operating cranes near overhead power lines or may not implement the proper safety procedures for controlling these hazards.” NIOSH publication 95-108

Current regulations require that workers and employers consider all overhead powerlines to be energized until the utility or owner of the line indicates otherwise, or they have been visibly grounded. 29 CFR 1910.333(c)(3) and 29 CFR 1926.550(a) (15). Employers are to ensure that overhead powerlines are deenergized or separate from the crane its load through one or more of the following methods:

Where lines are not deenergized, operating with safe minimum clearances defined at least 10 feet for lines rated 50 kilovolts or below and 10 feet plus 0.4 inches for each kilovolt above 50 kilovolts, or maintain a length twice the length of the line insulator but never less than 10 feet.  29 CFR 1910.333(c)(3); 29 CFR 1926.550(a) (15).

When a crane operator cannot observe safe clearance, or it is difficult to visualize a spotter should be used to warn the operator if the crane approaches the limit of safe clearance. 29 CFR 1926.550(a) (15) (iv). Effective means of communicating between the spotter and the operator must be observed to ensure that the spotters warning is clearly conveyed and clearly received by the operator of the crane. Cage-type boom guards, insulating links and proximity warning guards may not be used as a substitute for deenergizing or grounding lines or using safe clearance measures. 29 CFR 1926.550(a) (15) (v).

Despite safety regulations and industry guidelines many people are injured every year in crane related incidents including electrocutions. The Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau maintains that 90% of crane accidents are related to human error rather than equipment error. This means that most if not all incidents are the result of negligence of one or more responsible parties involved. In cases of electric injure and cranes this may include the power company or owner of the electric line, contractors, carne operators, other employees, or product manufactures.

Crane accidents often happen because of:

If you have been injured or you have lost a loved one in a crane accident, you need the help of an experienced attorney. Call now 1-800-264-3455 for a free no risk consultation about your legal rights. You are not responsible for any fees, we are compensated only when we recover money for you damages taking our fee from the money we collect. The law firm of Gump & Faiella has extensive experince in injury law, and a long track record of helping injured clients. At Gump & Faiella, your case is our cause. Call today.

Would you like more information about eletrical injuries?

Vist our page on eletrical injury and burns and our article on arc flash injury.

See the National Safety Council’s data sheet 743 on mobile cranes and power lines here.

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