Energy type: 
Electricity
 
Event summary: 
A notification was received from a network owner of a six year old child receiving an electric shock when he grabbed a stay wire.
 
Accident ID: 
160219-12
 
Accident date: 
18 February 2016
 
Site: 
Works or Distribution
 
Environment: 
Outside (above ground)
 
Voltage: 
230
 
Equipment: 
Overhead lines
 
Accident type: 
Electrical shock
 
Casualty: 
Non-fatality
 
Injury: 
Shock
 
Property damage level: 
No property damage
 
Outcome of investigation: 

The stay wire was supporting a concrete pole with overhead power lines. One of the live lines had sagged low and was in contact with the stay wire, livening the stay wire. The child received an electric shock when he touched the stay wire. There were as no lasting injury.

Following this incident the network owner undertook to survey its relevant high density children’s’ play areas (such as outside primary schools and playgrounds) to identify any similar design configurations and take action to minimise the risk of electric shock.