[mac74]

Watford window cleaner dies after being 'electrocuted' at work


https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/19533477.watford-window-cleaner-dies-electrocuted-work/

So sorry to hear this, and my condolences to his family and friends.
I am concerned to think just how low that power line was, as it sounds like a domestic house he was on?

[NBwcs]

Thats really sad, so young, just one little mistake and thats it. RIP Wesley.

[AuRavelling79]

Thanks for highlighting this. It is a good reminder. I know I have inadvertently touched overhead wires - luckily they have been telephone low voltage or insulated.

Does anyone know the window cleaner that died?

[Bin Juice]

Second fatality  this year , i thought over head power lines where mainly  in rural areas . 
I cannot believe that there are no warning signs on premises with live cables especially when they can so easily be mistaken for phone lines .

[Spruce]

Watford window cleaner dies after being 'electrocuted' at work


https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/19533477.watford-window-cleaner-dies-electrocuted-work/

So sorry to hear this, and my condolences to his family and friends.
I am concerned to think just how low that power line was, as it sounds like a domestic house he was on?

Those overhead power lines enter the house on about the same level as the upstairs windows. Some entry points are very close to an upstairs window.  We still have a few older houses with overhead power lines.

I'm the first to admit I'm a little bla​sé when it comes to cleaning them. At one time when we used Unger poles supplied by Peter Fogwill, I used to have a serious chat with myself regarding the dangers before cleaning them. I haven't done that for years, so this is a reminder I need to start doing it again.

I'm sorry someone has lost their life to give me a wake-up call.

[windowswashed]

Condolences to his family and friends. I'm always conscientious of overhead power cables, I have one on my round and always check new properties I quote for as part of risk assessment, comes naturally.

[Splash & dash]

Very sad situation and one that we all need to constantly be aware of and looking out for , I believe all new houses now have to have an underground supply so hopefully this situation will gradually  be done away with as houses are replaced .

[zesty]

Very sad situation and one that we all need to constantly be aware of and looking out for , I believe all new houses now have to have an underground supply so hopefully this situation will gradually  be done away with as houses are replaced .

Since the 60’s underground cables have been used, and it makes a huge difference to safety. I always keep an eye out for over head wires in older roads, one touch and it’s potentially game over.

So sad to hear of a death like this 

[Ortsa]

any advice on what to look out for? I couldn't tell you what a power line looks like vs. a telephone line

[Splash & dash]

any advice on what to look out for? I couldn't tell you what a power line looks like vs. a telephone line

Usually the cable is as thick as your finger with mains power and has brown round ceramic insulators  on the cable , a phone line is much thinner like  a pencil and  nothing else on the wire

[Jonny 87]

Really sad news. 


It’s also a reminder to use poles with an insulated base section. Like gardiners pole systems.

It’s not fool proof, but it’s a safety guard that I wish all pole manufacturers implemented.

[colin bird]

Really sad news. 


It’s also a reminder to use poles with an insulated base section. Like gardiners pole systems.

It’s not fool proof, but it’s a safety guard that I wish all pole manufacturers implemented.
[/quote


I use a gardiner slx,are you saying you can't get shock using a gardiner pole due to it being insulated ?
Where is it insulated, ?

[Splash & dash]

Really sad news. 


It’s also a reminder to use poles with an insulated base section. Like gardiners pole systems.

It’s not fool proof, but it’s a safety guard that I wish all pole manufacturers implemented.
[/quote


I use a gardiner slx,are you saying you can't get shock using a gardiner pole due to it being insulated ?
Where is it insulated, ?

The base section is the insulated  one but it’s not 100% guarantee you won’t get a shock if you touch power cables .

[Pete Thompson]

All Waterfed poles have a glass fibre handle section, except that weird slot-together one that gardiners used to do.

Gardiners didn’t invent that safety feature, ionics were doing it for years before gardiners were even selling poles, and exel (who used to make all the poles) were doing it years before Ionics.

[kiral1404]

Hopefully this image comes out.
It's a 230v overhead power line, 3 phase and a neutral. Generally you would expect 2 wires (live and a neutral) going into a property.
These are uninsulated so you don't want to be bashing around them. Most likely on older properties out in the sticks.
Saying that in Christchurch on a main Rd they still have overhead lines.

[kiral1404]

In the top left, the 2 wires going away from the pole.
These are called aerial  bunched conductors, meaning they are insulated.

When cleaning a house that's got overhead wires going to it.
Do a quick check.
Follow the wire back to the overhead pole just to see what type they are.

After 15 years in the electrical supply industry, I know what's safe and isn't. I still wouldn't put my pole near the insulated wires just in case

[Ian101]

Thanks for highlighting this. It is a good reminder. I know I have inadvertently touched overhead wires - luckily they have been telephone low voltage or insulated.

Does anyone know the window cleaner that died?

I have only just found out about this.

Wes was a lovely man - proper nice happy bloke with a family.

I only ever spoke to him over the phone but he was one of those people you could hit it off with straight away.

RIP Wes