Incident date: 2024-02-14
NAICS industry code: 238210

An employee was cutting a service line from a transformer pole to a residence's pole. He was working from a ladder secured to the pole. When the wire was cut, the release of tension caused the pole to split at ground level. The employee was strapped to the pole and fell approximately 20-25 feet to the ground. The employee suffered a brain bleed, concussion, and fractures to an orbital bone and wrist.

Hazard classification:
code_event: title: Fall to lower level from collapsing structure or equipment  6 to 30 feet
code_source: title: Utility poles
code_nature: title: Cerebral and other intracranial hemorrhages without skull fracture
code_body: title: Brain
severity: moderate