http://www.cqnews.com.au/news/surveyor-suing-for-16m-electrocution-amputation/2108627/
Surveyor sues for $1.6m after 'electrocution' and amputation
Austin King 9th Dec 2013 1:30 PM
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A CENTRAL Queensland surveyor is suing his former employer for $1.6 million after he allegedly suffered an electric shock and had his arm subsequently amputated.
The man, 38, claimed he and a co-worker were performing a seismic satellite survey in Luckies Road, 20km south-west of Miles.
The man was employed at Dynamic Satellite Surveys Pty Ltd when the electric shock allegedly occurred August 2010.
According to documents submitted in the Rockhampton District Court, the co-worker rammed into the ground a star picket (a steel fence post), adjacent to a fence line in Luckies Rd.
The co-worker allegedly then placed an 8.6m metal radio mast on the star picket by using electrical tape at the top and bottom of the steel post.
The plaintiff claimed that after the electrical tape had been applied, he held on to the mast while his co-worker went back to the work truck to retrieve more electrical tape to strongly secure the mast.
It was then alleged high voltage electricity jumped from a 12.7Kv single wire earth power line, near the survey mast, and into the plaintiff.
He claimed the electric shock was severe and subsequently received severe burns to his right forearm, left arm, back and right foot. As a result of the alleged injuries the man had his right upper forearm and the second toe on his right foot amputated.
He also needed skin graft operations for the burns on his left arm, posterior shoulder and right foot.
In his evidence, the man claimed his employer failed to provide a safe work system, and failed to provide any instruction, information, training or supervision in the performance of the satellite survey work, which at the time was near high-voltage power lines.
He also claimed his employer failed to warn him of the phenomenon of electrical arcing or arc-flash hazards.
The company declined to comment.
Common sense needs its name changed.
Common sense is now uncommon!!
