The IBEW 1245 Health and Safety committee reviewed five serious accident reports that were reported to IBEW International this month, and two additional incident reports are still pending. These accidents have taken place over the course of the year and have been investigated by their respective employers, and in some cases by Cal OSHA as well.
1-30-14- A tree crew groundsman working for Trees Inc. out of Stockton suffered a broken leg when he and other crew members attempted to unhitch a chipper from a vehicle that was stuck in the mud. When the crew members disconnected the chipper it upended and the rear of the chipper pinned the man to the ground. The man was taken to the hospital by emergency personnel. He had 1 year of experience on the job.
5-14-14– A tree trimmer working for Family Tree Service sustained back and abdominal injuries when he fell 50 feet when his rigging broke the limb he was tied into. He fell onto brush he had cut down while working, breaking his fall. He had 22 months experience on the job.
7-24-14– A lineman working for Wilson Construction made primary contact between an energized jumper on a termination cutout and the load side of the cutout. He received second-degree flash burns to his middle and lower arm. The majority of the fault current was conducted across the sweat in his shirt instead of his arm. He is making a recovery and has 22 years of experience in the trade.
8-6-14– PENDING: A hiring hall utility worker who was working for PG&E to relocate and abandon existing facilities fell into a 5 foot excavation pit. As he was removing the plywood covering he stepped forward and fell into the excavation, breaking his left leg and bruising the left side of his torso. He is currently off work and recovering. At the time of the accident, he had two years; experience with the company.
8-18-14– A tree trimmer working for Synergy Tree Inc. fell 30 feet when the tree top he was cutting pulled him out of the tree. The trimmer injured his back and shoulder. Cal OSHA is investigating. He had 7 months experience on the job.
9-17-14– A PG&E gas fitter was struck by a car while he was working within a coned area in a Fresno residential area. The car went into the coned work area and struck the gas worker, fracturing a disc and cutting his head. He is a 6 year member of Local 1245.
10-18-14- PENDING: A PG&E lineman was struck in the forehead by an hand line snap that broke while a line crew was sagging wire. The lineman was taken to the hospital and treated and released and is currently recuperating at home. An accident investigation team comprised of PG&E safety officials and IBEW representatives is currently reviewing the details of the accident. The employee has 8 years experience with PG&E and 4 years as a lineman.