In March 2024 an employee of AAD Civil Constructions Pty was seriously injured when the pole he used for measuring the depth of a hole conducted electricity from nearby overhead powerlines and shocked him unconscious.
AAD Civil Constructions operates out of Pakenham, constructing drainage and water mains for housing estates. Two years prior to the pipe-layer’s electrocution, the company had been visited by WorkSafe and provided with guidance on risks associated with working with plant, excavation, fall prevention, no-go zones and working around power.
The day before the electrocution, an AusNet inspector issued the company with a permit to work adjacent to exposed electrical apparatus, with the requirement that AusNet electrical assets be treated as live and stipulating that mobile plant must remain greater than 3000mm from all overhead electrical assets (no-go zone).
As AAD Civil Constructions employees were digging a bore shaft under the overhead powerlines, the pipelayer was using an aluminium staff to measure the depth of the hole. At full extension the measuring staff is seven metres long, and the hole was approximately eight metres deep. The pipelayer lifted the staff out of the hole at an angle over his shoulder, conducting electricity down the staff and through the pipelayer’s body. It is unclear whether the staff actually made contact with the powerlines or came close enough for electricity to arc from the powerlines to the staff.
As a result of the electrocution the pipelayer was transferred to hospital where a toe was amputated, tendons removed from his feet, and skin grafts taken from his thigh to repair his feet. The injuries have had a profound effect on the employee.
AAD Civil Constructions were aware of the dangers of working in close proximity to live electrical assets, and of the requirement to respect the no-go-zone by maintaining a distance greater than three metres between the overhead powerlines and the employee or anything he may be holding.
The Court imposed a fine of $15,000 with no conviction against AAD Civil Construction for their failure to provide a safe system of work.
EnergySafe Victoria provide guidance for those working near powerlines, including information on no-go-zones and the use of spotters to ensure the safety of workers.
Read more: Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable Undertakings | WorkSafe Victoria