19.02.2008

Crane electrocutes

A 51-year-old man died yesterday after a crane hit a 25,000-volt power transmission line near the closed Harmar coal mine's water treatment plant near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The man, named as Angelo Petricca, was standing next to the telescopic utility crane which was positioning concrete barriers when it hit the power lines.
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The accident scene yesterday

The power immediately earthed to ground through the crane and Petricca, who was declared dead at the scene from severe electrical shock. An autopsy is planned for later today.

A colleague tried to revive the stricken man to no avail, our reports suggest that the crane operator jumped clear from the crane after the incident.

Vertikal Comment

Accidents such as this occur all too often and yet overhead power lines are clearly visible and any kind of training always stresses the need to keep well clear of them.

After tip-overs caused by poor outrigger deployment and set up, electrocution is the next biggest killer, particularly for cranes, but also for small truck mounted lifts.

It is hard to understand why this should be.