Author -
Submitted By -hydraulic fire
AT approximately 3:10 pm on 4-17-97 a Journeyman Lineman working for P.G.E. received serious second and third degree burns from ignighted hydraulic fluid while working from a 48' Hi-Ranger man lift.The four man crew was in the process of installing a temporary bridal for a lineman"flew" the bucket between telco and secondary.After installing the temp. bridal on the secondary and moving towards the pole in the bucket to hook up the secondary,one of the hydraulic fittings on the accessory tool circuit rubbed hard against the messenger,causing a small leak in t5he high pressure hydraulic system.Simultaneously the fitting scared the existing secondary wire causing a phase to ground secondary fault.The heat from the fault ignited the fine spray of hydraulic fluid which sprayed at and on the lineman in the bucket.The crew began rescue procedures for the injured lineman.