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What happened?
A track hoe operator was preparing for a lift.
The operator was trying to position the track hoe while avoiding equipment, personnel, and overhead power lines.
The boom contacted an overhead power line. The power relay kicked in and de-energised the line.
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Why did it happen?
The operator was trying to avoid too many obstacles. The team were overconfident in his abilities.
The power line was identified in the risk assessment, but no spotters or other barriers were put in place, and the power line was not (or could not be) deactivated.
Spotters were not mandated in procedures.
The site conditions were different to what they had expected, but they did not stop and re-plan the job.
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What did they learn?
Operators cannot concentrate on multiple things at the same time.
Use spotters when working near powerlines and other obstacles. Consider adding this to procedures.
Can power lines be deactivated? Can obstacles be moved?
Overconfidence in our abilities leads to decision making errors. When planning work, ask ‘Are we being overconfident?’
If the job changes, review and risk assess the plan.
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Ask yourself or your crew
How can something like this happen here?
How can we make sure that we have enough spotters in position?
How do know when we need to re-plan the work?
What other barriers can we put in place to avoid a similar incident?
Think about today’s job: Are we being overconfident?
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What happened?
A track hoe operator was preparing for a lift.
The operator was trying to position the track hoe while avoiding equipment, personnel, and overhead power lines.
The boom contacted an overhead power line. The power relay kicked in and de-energised the line.
Why did it happen?
The operator was trying to avoid too many obstacles. The team were overconfident in his abilities.
The power line was identified in the risk assessment, but no spotters or other barriers were put in place, and the power line was not (or could not be) deactivated.
Spotters were not mandated in procedures.
The site conditions were different to what they had expected, but they did not stop and re-plan the job.
What did they learn?
Operators cannot concentrate on multiple things at the same time.
Use spotters when working near powerlines and other obstacles. Consider adding this to procedures.
Can power lines be deactivated? Can obstacles be moved?
Overconfidence in our abilities leads to decision making errors. When planning work, ask ‘Are we being overconfident?’
If the job changes, review and risk assess the plan.
Ask yourself or your crew
How can something like this happen here?
How can we make sure that we have enough spotters in position?
How do know when we need to re-plan the work?
What other barriers can we put in place to avoid a similar incident?
Think about today’s job: Are we being overconfident?
The operator was trying to position the track hoe while avoiding equipment, personnel, and overhead power lines. The boom contacted an overhead power line.
