The driver who died at a Kergunyah farm on Tuesday evening was in his tip truck as the trailer was unloading when it ran into overhead power lines stretching across the Kiewa Valley Highway.
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WorkSafe, which is leading the investigation into the fatality, has confirmed the front of the vehicle made contact with the power lines about 5.30pm, killing the man in his 50s.
The incident was the first of its kind since a father and son died in their tractor at a Rainbow property in western Victoria in 2010.
But Energy Safe Victoria says it is a reminder of the importance of ensuring truck drivers are aware of power lines on farm properties.
Victorian director of energy safety Paul Fearon said the organisation would assist WorkSafe in preparing a report for the coroner.
“It’s pretty clear what happened,” he said.
“We don’t know what the circumstances are in this situation, but often it’s people not familiar with the area … Whenever you lift a tipper up and you’re moving, it’s going to be a really risky move.”
Whenever you lift a tipper up and you’re moving, it’s going to be a really risky move.
- Victorian director of energy safety Paul Fearon
Energy Safe Victoria will look into the technical aspects of the incident and check the electrical infrastructure, such as protection settings, was working correctly.
The organisation’s “look up and live” campaign was launched in 2006 after three fatalities in that year and did result in a reduction in incidents.
Mr Fearon said safety signs placed on farms had been very successful in alerting drivers, who may have been making deliveries, to overhead power lines.
He said it was difficult to make 12,500-volt power lines more visible themselves, especially in the case of the Kergunyah incident which had involved multiple lines.
“When you’re talking about high voltage, they’re not shouting out ‘here I am’,” he said.
Regulations are clear about “no-go zones” for truck drivers, stating they cannot be within 6.4 metres of power lines.
Mr Fearon said it was also important drivers monitor weather conditions as lines can drop down about a metre on hot days, like the 34 degrees reached on the Border on Tuesday.
The WorkSafe investigation into the fatality will continue.
