‘Miracle’ that power line accident didn’t kill anyone

DRIGGS — No one was hurt after construction crews downed a power line over Main Street in Driggs on June 8, starting vehicles and a business on fire. But the situation could have easily had a tragic outcome.

“It was only by a miracle that nobody was killed,” Teton County Sheriff Tony Liford said.

According to Fall River Electric officials, the construction crew pulled two lines into each other and caused them to melt together. Sparks showered a driver in an open-top jeep and a line fell onto a pair of parked cars near a business on Depot Street.

Liford said he requested the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) open an investigation into the construction company, Cascade Pipeline Corporation out of Meridian, Idaho, and asked the Idaho Transportation Department for a copy of Cascade’s road safety plan.

“We as well as your officials are always concerned over the public’s safety as well as our own crews and are thankful that there was no person hurt in this accident,” wrote President of Cascade Pipeline Corporation John McNatt. “We understand that a project such as this is disrupting for its citizens and invite anyone with concerns and questions throughout this project to email us at cascade@cascadepipelinecorporation.com and we will address all concerns.”

Cascade was digging along the road as part of a city of Driggs project to replace old water mains.

RELATED: Cars and business catch fire from downed Driggs power line

In the early stages of the fire, a deputy reported that one of the construction workers attempted to put out one of the burning cars with a handheld extinguisher. The deputy went to assist with his own extinguisher before he realized that there was still an active power line.

“The way they handled it after they hit the line was completely inappropriate,” Liford said.

He said the construction company did not properly shut down traffic or inform first responders of the dangers they faced.

Fall River Electric also expressed concern that the downed line could have been deadly.

“This was a very dangerous situation as the downed power line was still energized and we had people trying to put out fires where the lines were,” the company commented on Facebook on a Teton Valley News article on the accident. “Also had folks exit the salon and reportedly walk under active downed lines. Someone could have been killed. PLEASE remember, never get near or walk near downed power lines until utility crews tell you it is safe to do so!”

Fall River Marketing/Public Relations Manager Ted Austin implored the public to take their safety warnings seriously.

“It’s not a matter of you getting burned, you’re going to get electrocuted,” he said. “And that’s means you’ll be dead.”

When reached for comment on the rules regarding construction equipment operating near a power line, OSHA said they don’t comment about specific cases, but that, in general, the agency’s protections require that employers take effective steps to ensure workers do not contact energized lines.

“This includes de-energizing the lines, insulating lines, or using another effective means to ensure workers are protected by keeping a safe distance from power lines,” wrote OSHA Regional Public Affairs Director Leo Kay in an email.

Aside from OSHA regulations, it appears Cascade Pipeline Corporation may have violated state law regarding operating near electrical lines.

A man identified by authorities as a Cascade Pipeline supervisor on the scene said he had done his “due diligence” and was only required to call 1-800 Dig Line.

The law requires any contractor that desires to work close to any high voltage overhead line, within 10 feet in this case, to notify the utility operating the line in writing. The contractor then may only perform the work only after making mutually agreed upon safety arrangements with the public utility.

Fall River said that Cascade Pipeline never contacted them before the accident.

Cascade Pipeline said it meets with the city, county and state representatives and those with the utility companies every week to discuss the work being done.

“Many of those representatives are onsite daily monitoring the work being performed. In addition, we call Digline out to each section we are working at to identify all utility lines,” McNatt wrote.

If a contractor breaks the law, they can face up to a $500 fine and if they actually hit a power line, the contractor is liable to the utility company for all damages and costs, including damages to third persons, incurred by the public utility as a result of the contact.

The law authorizes the county to prosecute these kinds of violations.

Liford said the Teton County Sheriff’s Office and Prosecutor’s Office did contemplate filing a stop work order against Cascade after the accident because the company wanted to continue working under the power line that same day without shutting off the electricity to the overhead line.

He said the order wasn’t necessary because the company agreed to call Fall River and have the electricity to the overhead line shut off. Liford said the company made the decision to contact Fall River Electric after he spoke to the construction supervisor.

“If he would have gotten back into that backhoe I would have arrested him,” Liford said.

The company disputes that they attempted to restart work after the accident without taking safety precautions.

“Cascade Pipeline did not attempt to resume work at the site of the accident until we met in person or by phone with all City, County, State and utility representatives involved. We are also working very closely with those residents whom have had their property damaged for a quick and equitable resolution,” McNatt wrote.

Mayor Hyrum Johnson wrote to the TVN that the city of Driggs is grateful there were no injuries in the incident.

“Going forward we are working with our contractor to insure that all appropriate safety measures are taken,” he said. “While accidents can occur regardless of best efforts, we are encouraging an increased awareness of safety throughout the project area.”

Johnson said if citizens have specific concerns about the incident or ongoing safety measures they are welcome to contact him directly at MayorJohnson@DriggsIdaho.org or 354-2362 ext 2107.

This article was originally published in the Teton Valley News. It is used here with permission.