25.01.2008

Crane boom electrocutes

A man died yesterday when a crane he was working with came into contact with overhead power lines at Voeller Mixers of Port Washington, Wisconsin.

Travis Tappa, 21, of Port Washington, was apparently standing on a concrete mixer that the crane, was preparing to lift, in the company’s parking lot when the cranes boom came into contact with a 4,800 volt overhead power line running some 10 metres or so above the car park.

Tappa was thrown well clear by the electric shock and is reported as having died from his injuries at or on his way to hospital. He was employed by Voeller as a painter and had been with the company since 2005. His father also works at the plant as a welder and machinist.

Voeller manufactures a wide range of concrete batching plants and associated equipment. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the accident.