Chainsaw touched power line - guy died

[beowulf]

Just saw this. I don't want to work anywhere near power lines - actually, don't like even being near them. And if I have to I will sit for a long time thinking about how to be safe. Man electrocuted in Fridley after striking powerline with chainsaw

 

[Torvy]

At least he was in Friendly Fridley when he passed. (People from the area will know the reference...as long as they are 50+)

In all seriousness, I am with you. I am overly cautious with electricity. I'll throw the main breaker when working on wires in the house.

 

[Thomas]

Thoughts prayers to family.

 

[Jstpssng]

It sounds like he was working for a tree service when he did it. Generally it's a good idea to notify the power co when working near wires. They can change a setting so that the breaker will throw after one short, rather than the normal 3.

 

[mo1]

It sounds like he was working for a tree service when he did it. Generally it's a good idea to notify the power co when working near wires. They can change a setting so that the breaker will throw after one short, rather than the normal 3.

The issue is that you are dealing with some pretty stiff voltages on those lines, more than high enough to cause significant burns and arc flash even with a very brief exposure before a fuse or cutout blows and de-energizes a line. The absolute lowest voltage you will see on a distribution line is 2400 volts (phase to ground on an older 2400/4160Y system) but generally it is quite a bit higher, typically 7200 volts or more phase to ground and 12,470 volts or more phase to phase. Depending on the voltage of the line/lines, you may not even need to touch the line, simply getting close to it can cause a discharge.

 

[RandyT]

As an utility forester, had to respond to a fire under a 230 kva line years ago and discovered the cause of the fire after finding small globs of metal and a knee cap. Guy dropped a tree into the overhead transmission line.

 

[Fxfymn413]

Ever notice the warnings that are on every aerial lift? "Do not operate within 10 feet of any electrical line." Unless it was a pole saw they were probably too close.

 

[ArlyA]

As a certified sawyer and with 30,000 saw accidents per year in the USA, I run the other direction when someone with no saw training what-so-ever shows up at a job site with their saw. Ya, this statement will crank up some people here. I do like to do sawyer work in the woods, but not haul people to town to reconnect arms, fingers or heads. That just ruins my day.

 

[Fxfymn413]

At the end of the day, it seems that the hazard is there to be found by the unwitting in many machines

And in my 32 years on the job I found that there was almost always some kind of impairment involved, usually alcohol combined with a large dose of stupidity.

One of my favorites: two folks picked up a running push rotary mower by the blade enclosure to trim some bushes. Fingers left along with the branches.

 

[mapper]

Years ago a powerline broke in front of the parking lot of the building I worked in. Line was on the ground arcing, breakers did not kick. Power company showed up a while later and fixed the line. Later I noticed that where the line had layed on the ground and burned away that the dirt was fused into glass. Couldn't imagine what that would have done if it had hit someone when it came down.

 

[Smokeydog]

Live trees and modern rubber tires are conducive.

 

[Doughknob]

Live trees and modern rubber tires are conducive.

Conductive? How are the tires?

 

[RandyT]

Conductive? How are the tires?

years ago tires were made of rubber which is basically not conductive, but modern tires have a high graphite/carbon content which is conductive.

 

[Thomas]

Several years back couple towns over man was cleaning snow off roof with snow rake,rake slip onto power lines to weather head...tragic outcome for the man.

 

[ArlyA]

I assume all saws are dangerous cutting tools and all materials are conductive.