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Work as a Distribution Linesman
I am new to the site, and I am greatful I have found what seems ot be a great support system. A little about me first. I am 31, from Australia and in Feb this year (2017) I went into cardiac arrest at football training. CPR was commenced imediately, and an external De-Fib used which took 9 shocks to get my heart going again. I have had an ICD installed and my recovery has been great.
I am work as an electrical distribution linesman (powerlines which deliver electricity to houses). So my work is based around voltages ranging from 240v to 22kv. I have had some discussion with my cardiologist, and some with my employer around electromagnetic fields and the effect they have on ICD's. I have done a lot of reading on the internet, and everything I come across seems to be more related to Transmission lines, where as distribution lines seems to give off a very small amount of EMF's (EMI's).
I am very keen to continue my career in the same field, and was wondering if anyone has been in the same or a simlar situation with returning to work, maybe in the same field? Work want to "investigate" this further before they let me touch any powerlines. I hope I can get some good feedback, and appreciate it very much.
6 Comments
thanks
by Smokey17 - 2017-06-01 06:12:11
Thank you Robin1. My recovery has been amazing, and the doctors found nothing health/disease wise wrong with my heart. one of them weird things about life.
Artist, No need to apologize at all. I appreciate the feed back. The work I do is on the distribution system, not tower/transmission lines which carry voltages of 110kv + in Australia.
I have done a lot of research and everything I have found so far tells me that the Electromagnetic field that comes off a 22kv distribution line is very small, and it is well within the limitis of exposure that all the manufacturers recommend. so to answer your question, I do not work out of a bucket attached to a crane, as I do not work on Transmission lines.
I have also read that there are a lot of people in the UK with ICD's who actually work within the walls of terminal substations where the EMF's are a lot higher wit no effect on the icd at all.
Good News
by Artist - 2017-06-01 09:36:55
Smokey, Thanks for answering my questions. It sounds like there is no reason for you to discontinue the work that you enjoy so much. That's really good news and I hope your employer appreciates such a highly motivated employee and you continue in the career you enjoy.
cheers.
by Smokey17 - 2017-06-02 01:12:33
Not a problem Artist... I have always been motivated, and I love what I do for a living. I have some discussions still to have with my employer, and my cardiologist regarding some saftey aspects of work. I know my employer would never put me, or any of their workers in a dangerous situation which is really good.
but from everything I have read, and the procedures in place regarding my work environment I will hopefully be back out in the field where I love it, even if the role is slightly modified.
ICD
by Rogue427 - 2017-06-14 23:28:47
They put my ICD in 2014. I'm still working as a indrustrial electrician. Anything from low voltage to 480V. I still troubleshoot spot welders but step back when they are welding. Main feeds coming into the buildings do not afect me. Good luck bud, I had to fight to get my job back.
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Question
by Artist - 2017-05-31 23:28:17
If you are working around high voltage power lines and have an ICD and the ICD shocks you, causing you to pass out unexpectedly, is there a danger that you could come onto contact with a live high voltage line? Does your work involve working at heights in a bucket attached to a crane? If so, having an ICD that could fire unexpectedly could put your life at risk. I appologize for the negative implications of my questions. Hopefully there is not a problem and your work would not expose you to those risks.