Cheney, Danny George

Male·Electrocution from electrical induction shock while installing spacers on high-voltage transmission line conductors

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.