SACO, Maine — Police say a man working on a utility pole in Saco has fallen to his death.
Sgt. Chris Handiman tells WCSH-TV that the man fell about 55 feet from a pole on Boom Road at about 4 p.m. on Monday.
Authorities say the man was 44 years old and from Maine but have not released his name. He worked for Hawkeye Inc.
Police also say it appears all the proper safety equipment was being used, and the investigation continues. Federal workplace safety officials have been notified.
Police also say it appears all the proper safety equipment was being
used, and the investigation continues. Federal workplace safety
officials have been notified.
IF THE MAN WAS USING ALL OF THE PROPER SAFETY EQUIPMENT THEN HE SHOULD NOT HAVE FALLEN FROM THE POLE OR OUT OF THE BUCKET. Obviously he was not snapped/tied into the pole or the truck.
When you free climb with all of the proper safety equipment, there is still a chance of falling since you are not physically attached to the pole, except by your hooks and a positioning lanyard that goes around the pole.
Free climbed many a pole in the day. Could have been anything that made him cut out.
I learned on and use the “bucksqueeze.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjVgCoeZrG0
correct. I used to work for a telephone company as na installer/line(man)….you CAN use the proper safety equipment and still fall…even if belted on the pole you can still skin the pole which can also lead to death. Or be in a bucket and if something you do tangles somehow in the electric above you, be thrown from the bucket…I am very sorry this happened to this man. A tragedy for sure, for him and his family.
This is just like when people criticize others that get into accidents when participating in climbing of some sort. You can do everything right and still have something go wrong, unless you are acquainted with the work or sport enough why jump to conclusions.
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Something failed to work properly that is for sure. So sad!!
Typically while gaffing up or down a pole you are not belted in. This is a time when you could gaffout and take a slide down the pole. Have seen it and experienced it more than a few times.
Very unfortunate accident and our condolences to his family.
How sad for him and his loved ones. My sympathies!
The police should stop assuming that “all ” proper safy equiptment was being used. How much do you know about OSHA. Hope you didn’t take the word of the company…
This so terrible, and they say he was using all the his safety equipment. God bless him and his family.
Poor man fell, beyond belief, obvious equipment failure somewhere. This is an example of why every family needs life insurance, you never know what the future holds. No one can prepare for loss of what we assume to be a healthy man, obviously hard working. Tragic, prayers going out to his family.
Hooked many a pole, my Father was a lineman on the railroad back in his day. I worked CATV. I gaffed-out couple times, learned not to. You can talk all you want about safety equipment but when your gettin paid footage that e.g. jackstrap around pole when climbing goes out the window. The most important factor here is the human brain…..and your hands . My deepest sorrow goes to the family, I know he was a rare breed.