Cheney, Danny George
Deceased
Danny George Cheney
Demographics
male
Date of death
2009-12-05
Finding date
2018-02-16
Cause of death
Electrocution from electrical induction shock while installing spacers on high-voltage transmission line conductors
AI-generated summary
Danny George Cheney, a newly promoted Construction Manager and Stringing Supervisor with John Holland Group, died from electrocution while installing spacers on high-voltage transmission line conductors. Working from a conductor cart suspended beneath un-commissioned but inductively-energised conductors, Cheney deviated from the approved Activity Method Statement by earthing conductors to the elevated working platform rather than to the towers at each end of the span. He used only one insulated glove instead of two and no hot stick to disconnect the earthing leads. The coroner identified a critical knowledge gap: Cheney lacked formal training distinguishing between earthing and bonding, and the difference when working from an EWP. Prior investigations blamed deliberate violation; the coroner found inadequate technical knowledge, absence of pre-task safety briefing with the crew, and incomplete equipment preparation. John Holland implemented remedial measures immediately post-incident (permit-to-work regime, voltage detection, enhanced training on earthing/bonding theory) but these improvements were omitted from the internal investigation report, masking systemic failures.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Specialties
Error types
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- Deviation from approved Activity Method Statement procedures for earthing conductors
- Earthing conductors to elevated working platform rather than to towers at each span end
- Inadequate personal protective equipment (single hot glove, no hot stick)
- Knowledge gap regarding distinction between earthing and bonding techniques
- Absence of formal pre-task safety briefing or Task Risk Assessment with crew
- Incomplete equipment preparation prior to work commencement
- Lack of formal training in live transmission line work for supervisor
- Time pressure due to project delay and imminent Christmas shutdown
- Absence of crew discussion regarding AMS procedures
- Lack of supervision and auditing for procedural compliance
- No mention in investigation report of immediate post-incident remedial measures
- Prior electrical incident at Nebo project not adequately addressed
Coroner's recommendations
- No specific recommendations directed at reducing risk of similar incidents, as the coroner found John Holland had already implemented appropriate remedial measures post-incident
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