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Tippermen killed by overhead powerline

24th September 1992
Page 6
Page 6, 24th September 1992 — Tippermen killed by overhead powerline
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• An inquiry is expected to be held into the deaths of two men who were electrocuted when their tipper body touched a 33kilowatt power cable.

David McCubbin and Willie Wykes, employed by Border Surfacing of Carlisle, were spreading tar on the A76 north of Dumfries on the afternoon of 17 September; one was in the truck and the other was touching it when the body came into contact with the overhead cable.

According to Electricity Supply Regulations, cables of that voltage must be at least 5.8m above the ground.

Miles Fox, chairman of the National Tipping Service, says this kind of accident is very rare; on building sites high-voltage cables are marked by bunting. Road Haulage Association technical manager Bob Stacey says: "Once people start working at any place, whether on a road or building, it technically becomes a building site and subject to Health and Safety at Work Regulations."