On Thursday 22 October at 11.15am, emergency services were alerted to a workplace incident involving a concrete pump truck at a construction site in New Gisborne.
On Thursday 22 October at 11.15am, emergency services were alerted to a workplace incident involving a concrete pump truck at a construction site in New Gisborne. Initial reports were that the boom had come into contact with power lines and that the truck was on fire.
When the operator lost power to the remote control system, the boom of the concrete pump truck came into close proximity to high voltage power line and selectricity arced from the power lines to the boom giving a worker who was manoeuvring the hose of the boom an electric shock.
The worker suffered entry and exit wounds to his left and right foot. Ambulance Victoria gave initial first-aid and undertook ECG observations on scene. The man, in a stable condition, was then taken to hospital by ambulance.
Incident Controller Lieutenant Bevan Moody said the main priority was to secure the scene.
"Upon arrival, there was naturally a bit of panic among the workforce. We initially cleared the scene to maintain everyone's safety," Bevan Moody said.
"Ambulance Victoria was already on scene attending to the worker who had received the electric shock, so we proceeded to ensure there was no further contact with the power lines and the concrete boom.
"Once safe, firefighters then inspected the truck for any further signs of fire."
Firefighters were on scene for approximately three hours to maintain site safety and to assist Energy Safe Victoria and WorkSafe with their inquiries.
ESV and Worksafe are continuing their investigation.