A serious electrical accident occurred on Wednesday April 2, 2025 at a construction site in Hixson, Tennessee, leaving two workers hospitalized. The incident took place just before 3:00 p.m. on Woodland Circle, where a crane being used on-site came into contact with a high-voltage power line, causing a sudden and dangerous electrical surge.
The crane’s overhaul hook ball — a large component used in heavy lifting — reportedly touched a live electrical wire, energizing the entire crane. The operator, who was inside the crane cab at the time, suffered serious electrical injuries. A second worker, who had been positioned on the ground and acting as a spotter, was also shocked and thrown backward by the force of the electrical current. Both individuals were transported to the hospital. Emergency crews quickly responded, extinguishing a small fire caused by the energized equipment and working with the local power utility to de-energize the area and ensure the safety of nearby residents and workers.
Electrocution Risks in Crane Operations: A Deadly Hazard
Working with or around cranes near power lines is one of the most dangerous tasks on a construction site. Cranes are massive pieces of equipment made largely of conductive metal, and when components like booms, cables, or hook blocks come too close to overhead electrical lines, the results can be fatal. Even without direct contact, electrical arcing can occur — allowing thousands of volts to jump from a power line to the crane or nearby personnel.
This accident highlights several key safety challenges:
- Limited visibility and high reach: Crane operators often have restricted lines of sight, especially in urban or wooded environments. Spotters are used to help guide movements, but even a momentary misjudgment in distance can be disastrous.
- High-voltage line proximity: Many construction projects occur near existing electrical infrastructure, increasing the need for enhanced planning. OSHA requires minimum clearance distances between cranes and power lines, which must be strictly enforced.
- Inadequate planning or hazard marking: Construction crews must evaluate power line locations in advance and establish clear no-go zones. Failure to properly flag or mark hazards can result in overlooked risks.
- Improper grounding: Cranes must be grounded appropriately to redirect stray currents and minimize risk to operators and ground crew. If grounding is inadequate or faulty, even indirect contact can be deadly.
- Lack of training: Both crane operators and spotters must receive thorough training on the dangers of operating near energized lines, including how to respond in the event of a strike. Inexperienced or undertrained workers face a significantly higher risk of injury or death.
Construction site electrocution incidents are often preventable with adequate preparation, proper equipment inspection, and a strict adherence to safety regulations. When heavy equipment is involved, especially in electrical hazard zones, proactive safety protocols must be in place every single day.
Legal Support for Victims of Workplace Electrocution Accidents
Workplace injuries involving electrocution can leave victims facing long-term medical complications, including neurological damage, burns, heart conditions, and psychological trauma. In cases where employer negligence, unsafe job conditions, or equipment failure contributed to the accident, injured workers may have legal recourse beyond standard workers’ compensation benefits.
Spagnoletti Law Firm has extensive experience representing injured construction workers and their families. Our construction accident attorneys understand the complexity of heavy equipment accidents and the responsibilities contractors and site managers have in keeping workers safe — particularly around electrical hazards.
📞 If you or a loved one was injured in an electrocution or crane-related incident, call 713-804-9306 today for a free consultation. You don’t pay legal fees unless we win your case.