Name: How Aluminum ladders and power lines can cause death
Uploaded: 2022-09-01T15:27:00.390261+00:00
Duration: 339 s
Channel: ALD OSHA

After the worker finished one window, he came down from the ladder. He tried to move the ladder by himself with the ladder still extended in the upright position, but the latter was top heavy and too unstable and it fell backwards while the worker was still holding it as it fell, the aluminum ladder contacted the overhead power line near the town home because the worker was using a highly conductive metal ladder, it allowed the electrical current in the power lines to reach the worker. He died instantly.

<p>After the worker finished one window, he came down from the ladder. He tried to move the ladder by himself with the ladder still extended in the upright position, but the latter was top heavy and too unstable and it fell backwards while the worker was still holding it as it fell, the aluminum ladder contacted the overhead power line near the town home because the worker was using a highly conductive metal ladder, it allowed the electrical current in the power lines to reach the worker. He died instantly.</p>

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ALD OSHA

How Aluminum ladders and power lines can cause death

How Many People Are Electrocuted Each Year

Why did the aluminum ladder cause death?

Preparation - a safe distance from powerlines

Fibre-glass ladders - added safety precaution

Preparing for safety

Moving the ladder and getting help

What happens if you cannot clear the overhead power line?

This OSHA prevention video describes how to prevent deaths and injuries from employees' contact with overhead power lines while using ladders. Find more information on this topic at www.osha.gov.

<p>This OSHA prevention video describes how to prevent deaths and injuries from employees' contact with overhead power lines while using ladders. Find more information on this topic at <a href="http://www.osha.gov" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.osha.gov</a>.</p>

https://d3ev5earl6dvd0.cloudfront.net/public-media/videos/004/578/004578/video_YTwQBLN.mp4

In the us hundreds of construction workers die every year while on the job with over 700 fatalities just in the year 2011, the third leading cause of these deaths is electrocution.


Electrocutions cause one of every 10 construction worker deaths with nearly 70 deaths in 2011. But these deaths can be prevented.

Let's look at the events leading up to this tragic incident and see how it could have been prevented. Originally, the worker climbed down the ladder and tried to move it by himself because the latter was still in the upright position and extended, it was too hard to handle, even though the worker was himself a safe distance from the power line. As a result it fell over and hit the power line because the worker was holding the metal ladder when it hit the power line, it allowed current to pass through the workers body to the ground.

Now let's take a look at the worker, doing the same task safely this time before starting to work, the worker and his foreman inspect the area, including checking for overhead power lines. After checking on the voltages with the utility company, the foreman and the worker discuss safe working distances from the power lines.


The foreman reminds the worker of the need to keep himself and the latter clear of the power lines at all times

As an added safety precaution a fiberglass ladder is selected for use in this area while the fiberglass ladder is heavier, it has non conductive side rails and two workers can safely handle it as before the worker climbs down the ladder to move to the second window, but this time he calls over to his co worker to help move the ladder.


The two workers first bring the extended section down and then carry the ladder horizontally toward the second window to prevent the ladder from hitting the overhead power lines,

In addition to maintaining clearance from overhead lines, use ladders with non conductive side rails as an added safety Precaution


using ladders with non conductive side rails is safer, but not a guarantee of protection from an energized power line. In addition ladders are not rated for electrical safety, so it is important to always use safety precautions that maintain safe distances from overhead power lines,


inspect ladders before and after each use only use ladders that are clean, dry and undamaged. For example, if a fiberglass ladder is not kept clean dry and in undamaged condition. It can conduct electricity.

Don't carry or move extension ladders in the upright position. Get help moving ladders to keep control and prevent accidental contact with energized overhead power lines. If a ladder should accidentally hit an overhead power line, do not touch it. Quickly move away and call the electric utility company immediately.

If appropriate clearance from an overhead power line cannot be met. Contact the utility company to de energize and ground the line or request the utility company install insulation over the lines to protect workers.