CRANE ACCIDENTS BY CONTACT WITH POWERLINES

Reports or summary accounts of accidents by electrocution occurring when machines come in contact with powerlines have been analyzed from several aspects. These accidents occurred in Quebec, Ontario, the United States and France. The type of involved equipment could be classified into 8 recognized types. Other analyses were carried out that considered mainly the occupation of the workers affected, the severity of the accident, the part which came in contact with the powerline and the voltage of the powerline. Based on this analysis, some specific factors have been recognized in six categories of equipment which have helped to describe some typical accidents for each category of equipment. This study can be used to define a priority for the prevention of, and the strategy against accidents resulting from contact between machines and powerlines. This prevention should take into consideration the technology of the machines involved.