Apprentice Accident

[dogleg]

Did Anybody Here About The Apprentice That Got Killed One Day Last Week Around Knoxville Tn. I Heard About It Today At School . He Worked For Dilliard Smith.

[one-wire-at-a-time]

I heard the accident happened to a 3rd year apprentice for Dillard Smith. He was 32 yrs of age, married with 2 kids. He was on the ground - pulling new line and the line supposedly jumped off the wheel, don't know if it was a traveler or tension wheel, but it came in contact with a live line and he was killed instantly. This was the way it was told to me. It happened in Rogersville, TN.

[rusty]

I got a call,

The Brother was on a wire unit as they were pulling new conductors. Some how the unit became energized??? Don't know if they had a rolling ground, or if it failed?? Don't know if slack got in to a uncovered energized line, a tail or what!!! Don't know if speed or pressure to perform or lack of supervision or mental laps or training or lack of safety and equipment were part of the problem!!



Our Prayers are with all, as is our offer to help as always! I also pray they are documenting EVERYTHING, JUST INCASE!

When does money and time start becoming SECOND to lives and limbs ????

[Ghostrider]

Does anyone know what happened to this young man? So far the only thing we know is he is no longer with us. I am sure someone must know the story?

[LAWDOG]

moriarty new mexico lost 2 lineman 2 weeks ago when they were replacing a broken pole . the pole fell on the 2 lineman ,both were married and had young children . dont know exactly what happened it just upsets me to lose another brother .

[graybeard]

does anybody know why if these happen at IBEW shops why they dont share these accidents with the rest of the locals?

[Ghostrider]

Dillard - Smith is a Quanta Company. It is my understanding that the tensioner Gary was on was not grounded. This accident and the one in MO. makes two dead appreantice in two months for Quanta. I have worked for Quanta in the past and they gave us all the tools we needed to do the work safe.

I also would like to know why the IBEW does not share this with the members so we could all learn from these stupid mistakes. We are killing too many people every year.

Our safety man said we lost 44 men last year and over two hundred are so messed up they will never be back to work.

If we are so well trained why do we take so many short cuts?

[Trampbag]

You got it right, brother, it’s high time we tradesmen get our act together, as a collective organization, and tell the IBEW, the companies and OH&SA what we want. This site is a perfect venue for just such a collective thinking. Let’s put an end to the carnage!

I’m getting sick of all the misery though “accidents” and the seeming lack of caring on the part of those we work for and pay to represent us. All that happens is another rule is made that no one enforces nor cares about until a brother dies and he can be blamed for not following the rules.

[Wye-Delta]

I too have worked for and am presently employed by a Quanta Services company...
We were informed of this tragedy by our safety officer with few details other than it was a "stringing accident" . The wire being pulled in was over an energized circuit and there were no grounds and that an insulator broke(?). We would be given more details when he got them...
It has been my experience that any tool or piece of equipment that I have requested for the job especially in regards to safety ,they have not balked...
I too agree with the previous authors...It is time we do something about these unacceptable 'accidents'....
I had 20+yrs. experience with a Utility company before coming to my senses and hitting the road...and it was an eyeopener!

1) Where I came from there was no drug/alcohol employment screening nor random tests (may be different now).We policed ourselves discreetly without being snitches...Let's face it we are regularly placing our lives in the trust of our brothers/sisters, whether they are in a position of authority or a bucket /pole buddy, running a piece of machinery, etc...
First and foremost, I AM RESPONSIBLE for MY SAFETY and well being!
Am I going to place my life in the hands of someone under the influence of mood/mind altering substances? No way!
As an oldtimer I witnessed my first (and hopefully last) electrical 'accident' a couple of years ago...
Two crews were assigned to transfer a very busy pole, 34KV (de-energized)
buckarm and 4KV underbuild buckarm and 3 phase take-off...a detailed tailboard / jobplan was discussed with everyone in agreement...to make a long story short the apprentice went in the bucket with his foreman on one side of the structure and my apprentice went with me on the other side...we had plenty of rubber cover , gloves and sleeves...a spotter on the ground and in a split second with no-one noticing the 7th stepper had removed his gloves and contacted the primary and neutral on the arm at the same time, we shouted at his foreman and he was able to clear him after two attempts...
thankfully he lived!!!
What was he thinking????
He tested positive for cocaine at the hospital!!!!
He was a good worker, smart, affable and his foreman was aware of his usage but never said anything because he was good worker...He **** near died and was removed from the apprenticeship and will have scars for the rest of his life....did we do him any favors?
Unfortunately, usage seems very common and the sharing of "blockers" to get around the random tests....
We need to CLEAN-UP....
We are not doing ourselves,our families,our brothers/sisters or our trade any favors by ignoring a problem....
I am not preaching nor am I suggesting that this was the case in this latest incident....
I have more thoughts and opinions but I have said enough for now...
My thoughts and prayers go to this young mans family and friends...

But for the grace of God there go I....

[lightningrod]

Its getting to the point where alot these so-called accidents are involving apprentices, these guys are under our (certified lineman) wing and we have to watch them like a hawk at all times. Someone on the site should have known that they needed a travelling ground on and isolation area to work from.