OSHA is investigating the Dec. 9th  death of an employee in an electrical accident at a Wisconsin meatpacking plant.  The victim was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead.  Details were not released and the OSHA investigation is pending. Click here to read more about the Wisconsin electrical fatality    

Caterpillar has not released details but is working with authorities following an electrical accident at the Peoria facility.  One of the victims is in the hospital with serious burns to his arm, leg and abdomen.  The other has been released.  The two victims were working for another company at the Caterpillar factory. Click here to read [...]

This is a classic good news/bad news story. Entergy’s Pallisades Nuclear Plant was shut down by an arc flash, electrical fault.  The good news is that “no workers were injured”.  In the past, a worker or two would have been hurt AND the plant would have  been shut down.  What might make spectacular news with [...]

Another grocery store arc flash. This is very sad and the lack of understanding is even worse.  It was a definitely arc flash but also a possible shock.  So many don’t realize the energy in 480V electrical systems in just about EVERY electrical room.  Grocery stores, malls etc. http://www.theday.com/article/20111208/NWS04/111209555/1047/nws

Not enough information in this article but with previous citations on electrical guarding, combustible dust and carbon black, it could be combustible dust explosion or arc flash or both. Sad thing is flame resistant clothing would have likely prevented most of the burns in either case.  Clothing which meets NFPA 2112 or ASTM F1506 will [...]

An IBEW electrical contractor working on the Caterpillar site sustained arc flash burns in an electrical incident.  Knowing IBEW rules and Caterpillar rules it is most likely he was wearing arc rated clothing and following most of NFPA 70E. http://www.pekintimes.com/mobiletopstories/x2019337075/Two-injured-at-Caterpillar  

The worker in this story is installing a new smart meter when the arc fault occured. Wearing close to right PPE.  Likely no energy calc.  He got burned but no clothing ignition.  Lucky and likely to have little life changing burns but PPE could have been better matched from this description. Wonderful that the fire [...]

When an electrical worker gets burned and the word explosion is mentioned, it is usually an arc flash.  Arc flash sustained by a worker are covered under OSHA hazard assessment requirements and both NFPA 70E and NESC.  Most workers are doing things they didn’t expect to get into an arc flash over. Click here to [...]

No faceshield.  Probably had arc rated clothing.  Many HV arc flashes will ignite non-arc rated clothing.  The workers were in an HV panel.  Two subcontractors were injured, one rather severely.   http://www.emsworld.com/news/10454123/mass-workers-injured-by-electrical-explosion