Guam, Micronesian Islands

1998 Guam, Micronesian Islands

In 1998, a subtenant of Smithbridge Guam’s Barragada yard unknowingly backed a container on a truck into a low power line. This electrified the truck, but the driver was completely unaware he had touched the power line. As he stepped out of the cabin of the electrified truck, he made contact with the ground while still holding the truck climb rail. This caused the power to surge to the ground via his body and fatally electrocuted him. The truck driver was working alone at the time, and the incident was only identified by others when the loaded container was observed to be blazing on fire from a distance.

Touched ground on exit of vehicle This incident highlights the risks around energised metal vehicles and machines on rubber tyres where body contact from the energised object and the ground can cause a fatal grounding via the human body. This incident also highlighted the importance of dealing with sagging or otherwise unsafe electrical infrastructure to minimise the risk of contact. 

Powerlines Reversed If you exit a machine that has been electrified due to contact with an overhead power line, you will be electrocuted if you are touching the machine and the ground at the same time. This is because the electricity travels through the body to the ground, resulting in electrocution. Stay in the vehicle until you have received confirmation that the vicinity is de-energised. If you must exit the vehicle for other safety reasons, do not make contact with the electrified vehicle and the ground at the same time.