Electrical fatality update
15 January 2009
The Electrical Safety Office has been advised of a recent electrical fatality involving powerlines. While the fatality is still under investigation, there are fundamental electrical safety principles involved that need to be reinforced within the community.
Prior to Christmas, a person was killed on a property in rural Queensland adjacent to a high voltage transformer.
At the incident site a kite was found to be tangled up on a 19,000 volt powerline near the deceased. It is suspected that an aluminium pole on the ground was used in an attempt to free the kite from the powerline.
Numerous electrical fatalities have occurred in Queensland’s rural industry over the years. These incidents commonly involve a worker contacting overhead powerlines through the use of machinery or moving irrigation pipes on properties.
The circumstances of this recent fatality were unusual in that it involved a family flying a kite. There remains a strong need to stay electrically safe at work and at home and to be careful to remain a safe distance from powerlines.
Always observe safe practices whenever you are near powerlines or carrying out activities that may bring you or an object you are holding in contact with powerlines.
Look up and Live
Together the Electrical Safety Board, the Electrical Safety Office, electricity entities, employers, contractors and workers can work to achieve these positive outcomes and improve electrical safety for the benefit of all Queenslanders.
This important message may be of value to your clients. In the interest of electrical safety please forward this e-alert to interested organisations.
For further information on electrical safety information visit www.fairandsafework.qld.gov.au/electricalsafety or telephone 1300 650 662.
Barry Dieckmann
Acting Executive
Director
Electrical Safety Office
Last updated July 22, 2009
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