Case studies\u2014learn from these mistakes<\/h1>\n
Take a lesson from these unfortunate, true stories about job-site mistakes. Expand the \u201cDon\u2019t do what they did!\u201d boxes to see relevant safety information so you can prevent similar tragedies.<\/p>\n<\/div>
![\"case](\"https:\/\/dukesafety.com\/contractors\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/case-studies-underground-lines2.jpeg\" "\\"case")
<\/span><\/div><\/div>Underground lines can surprise you<\/h2>\n
A 20-year-old plumber\u2019s apprentice began to jackhammer some concrete,\u00a0not knowing that a power line lay just beneath him.<\/em>\u00a0The jackhammer bit into the line and thousands of volts of electricity surged through his body. The current exploded out the back of his head and shoulder and through his foot, taking two toes with it and burning away part of both knee joints. He spent several months in the hospital healing from burns, and it took him two years to learn to walk again. Despite his injuries, the young man went on to become an Olympic kayaker and competed at the 2000 games in Sydney, Australia, where he was the flag bearer for the U.S. team. (Source:\u00a0Cliff Meidl<\/em>)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Notify 811 before you dig or move earth in any way.<\/strong> This free service will arrange for Duke Energy and other 811 member utilities to locate and mark their underground lines so you can dig a safe distance away from them.<\/p>\n Dial 811 or use the online ticket-entry system,<\/strong> then wait your state\u2019s required time for facility owners to mark their lines before you dig:<\/p>\n *In FL, KY, NC, and SC, this wait time does not include the date you make your locate request at 811.<\/em><\/p>\n Pre-mark your proposed excavation area<\/strong> with white paint, flags, and\/or stakes before you contact 811.<\/p>\n Wait for utilities to be marked before digging.\u00a0<\/strong>Once utilities are marked, respect the marks, hand expose to verify location, and dig with care.<\/p>\n Always contact your state 811 center before digging and for the most current requirements.<\/em><\/p>\n Shocking fact: A crane operator was putting up steel beams for a building annex. His brother-in-law was acting as both spotter and ground rigger, attaching the steel beams to the crane. A high-voltage line ran by the job site. The crane operator reminded his relative to help him keep the crane at least 15 feet* from the line, but something went wrong. The brother-in-law signaled the crane to get too close to the line, and when he grabbed the crane cable to attach a steel beam, he was electrocuted. (Source: Worker Beware<\/a> video<\/em>) When you guide a load, you are at risk of electric shock.\u00a0<\/strong>If the crane or other piece of equipment you are guiding hits an overhead power line, electricity can travel down the tag line that you are holding and through you. In the event of power line contact, workers on the ground are in the greatest danger of shock.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t try to guide a load and spot at the same time.\u00a0<\/strong>Assign a spotter whose\u00a0only<\/strong>\u00a0job is to make sure the equipment stays clear of power lines. Spotting effectively requires a person’s full attention.<\/p>\n Shocking fact: A 19-year-old apprentice nurseryman was fatally electrocuted while installing a sprinkler irrigation system. He apparently\u00a0lifted up a long aluminum pipe, and it contacted an overhead power line\u00a028 feet off the ground. The young man received a shock of 22 kV of electricity. He was knocked to the ground and dropped the pipe. He told his coworkers that he was okay, and got up. However, he then staggered for about 25 feet before he collapsed and died. (Source:\u00a0Victoria Department of Labour, Occupational Health and Safety Division<\/em>)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>Don\u2019t do what they did! Contact 811 for ALL digging jobs<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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![\"Know](\"https:\/\/lge-ku.e-smartworkers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/811_eng-200x185.png\")
Notify 811 well ahead of digging, so underground utilities can be marked and you can work safely.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>![\"Contact](\"https:\/\/dukesafety.com\/contractors\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/case-studies-underground-lines-2.png\" "\\"Contact")
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\n<\/span><\/strong>Not all utilities are members of 811. You are responsible for notifying non-member utilities.<\/p>\n<\/div>![\"case](\"https:\/\/dukesafety.com\/contractors\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/case-studiens-double-duty-v3.png\" "\\"case")
<\/span><\/div><\/div>Don\u2019t do double duty as spotter and ground rigger<\/h2>\n
\n*Today, per OSHA regulations, this clearance would be at least<\/em> 20 feet<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>Don\u2019t do what they did! Use a dedicated spotter<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
When you guide a load, have a spotter who can alert you if equipment gets too close to power lines. Your life could depend on it.<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Worker](\"https:\/\/dukesafety.com\/contractors\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/look-up-live-guiding-loads-e1550953946255.jpg\")
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\n<\/span><\/strong>A worker was electrocuted while pulling a wire rope attached to a crane cable. The cab of the crane was positioned about 11 feet from a 7.2 kV power line. The crane operator swung the crane boom and cable toward the victim, and the momentum of the swinging crane apparently caused the crane cable to contact the power line.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n![\"case](\"https:\/\/dukesafety.com\/contractors\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/case-studies-watch-irrigation-pipes-v2.png\" "\\"case")
<\/span><\/div><\/div>Watch those irrigation pipes<\/h2>\n
![\"Irrigation](\"https:\/\/dukesafety.com\/contractors\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/look-up-live-irrigation-system-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"case](\"https:\/\/dukesafety.com\/contractors\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/case-studies-a-spotter-saved.jpg\" "\\"case")
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