Author - W Meckel

First of all, may I say how truly surprised I have been at learning the skills needed for a lineman's job as well as the dangers associated with it. I was ignorant in my thinking that safety equipment and procedures had evolved enough in this day and age where injury and death were rare. After reading this site, I realize that is far from the truth.  It puts me in mind of the men building Hoover Dam. Far too many accidents. I came here through the e mail below while trying to get some answers we could understand. OSHA report named some equipment failure and mentioned gins, rigs and other industry terms I don't understand. We were told some equipment that was made twenty years ago by an OKAY employee failed, causing Russ's death. There was a lot of, "quite possibly's," "probables," and "likely's" in the report. No definites and a lot we could not understand. Does anyone on this forum have any information as to how Russ died. I realize with any accidental death such as this, love ones look for answers and and a reason and sometimes there simply are none. But I would just like a definite cause that we can understand. Thank you.

Wendy Meckel 

Hello Wendy,

First of all I want to give my condolences for your loss.

I think you should join the lineman’s forum on Powerlineman and post your query there in the Safety Meeting. Accidents and Near Misses forum and have anyone who responds do it by email or private message.

Someone has to know something out there.

Again, I am sorry for your loss.