These happen. If workers are present they must be protected by some means. ConEd uses arc rated clothing (ASTM F1506) and rubber gloves with leather protectors to start and arc flash blankets (ASTM F2676) in some cases. They use NESC electrical safety training for their arc flash training See ArcWear.com for standard info. Click here [...]

Note: This is my opinion with ONLY the news article information. Looks like something I had thought COULD happen has happened. Arc flash in manhole, blows off cover and hits someone. Prevention of arc flash can help save public too. Click here to read the news article.

“OSHA began its investigation in July 2009 after a maintenance worker employed by Mueller Copper Tube Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Mueller Industries, was killed, and two other workers were injured when naphtha, a flammable liquid of hydrocarbon mixtures, leaked from an electric pump and ignited.”

Watch these. More and more OSHA finds electrical hazards at almost every site they fine. Is OSHA being better trained and focusing on what kills more people? I think so. Scaffolding, falls and electrical are in the top 5 killers of US workers. Click here to read the OSHA press release.

“The current OSHA inspection found damaged storage racks, an ungrounded energized dock light, an energized wall outlet box lacking a knockout plug, and unguarded moving machine parts at Windsor Locks; no auxiliary lighting for powered pallet jacks at Suffield that were operating in areas where the dock lights were not in working order; and exposed energized electrical conductors on loading dock lamps at both locations. Since OSHA cited the company in July 2008 for similar hazards, these latest conditions resulted in the issuance of seven repeat citations with $82,500 in proposed fines.

Three serious citations, with $15,000 in fines, were issued for allowing the use of man basket lifts on powered industrial trucks without first obtaining the manufacturer’s approval, exposed live electrical parts and exposed electrical conductors. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.”

Worker electrocuted. Was BUD (Before You Dig) called? Click here to see the AOL Video.

“An electrical contractor has been convicted and fined on Wednseday over an electrical accident involving a trainee.

In 2007, ICE Engineering and Construction Pty Ltd had engaged the then 17-year-old man as a trainee. Sometime around April of that year, the trainee was assigned to a local business to help with work on a circuit distribution board.

He was using an insulated copper to touch a circuit breaker’s live part when an arc flash resulted.

The young man was knocked to the ground and suffered burns to his neck, face, and arms.”

OSHA has alleged two willful, 15 serious and one repeat violation following an investigation that began July 20, 2009. The willful violations include failing to adequately repair and maintain process equipment, and to update changes in operating procedures. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements, or with plain indifference to employee safety and health.

Serious violations include failing to maintain floor holes to prevent employees from tripping, to properly label electrical equipment, to prevent exposure to electrical parts, to update piping and instrumentation diagrams, and to address process hazard analysis deficiencies. A serious violation is one that could cause death or physical harm that can result from a hazard an employer knew or should have known exists.

Office of Health, Safety and Security issues a monthly report and separates out electrical safety. One of the best reports you can find. Click here to read the Nov 2009 report from the HSS of the DOE.

This one has some internet common photos of overloaded powerlines from other countries (never would see most of these in the US or EU but the basics are true. We offer a first responder training for firefighter safety because of these types of hazards. Click here to see the Fire Fighter Nation article.