Electrical and Arc Flash Safety » Arc Flash Incidents

IL Electricians Burned in Arc Flash

Hugh Hoagland — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:59:10 +0000

Several electricians received burns from an arc flash when working on an electrical box at a Best Buy in Niles, IL.

Click here to read the article dated 4/12/12.

Electrician Listed as 1 of 10 Deadlist Jobs in RI

Hugh Hoagland — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:19:15 +0000

According to statistics from the Division of Worker’s Compensation of the State Department of Labor and Training, Rhode Island electricians suffered 3 deaths and 2207 injuries during the 10 year period of 2001-2010. Rhode Island’s Committee on Occupational Safety and Health indicates that the most common cause of workplace injuries and fatalities is failure to recognize hazards involved; second most common scenario for serious injuries are workplaces where employees are aware of the hazards, but are effectively powerless to say or do anything about it.

Click here to read the article dated 3/23/12.

Arc Flash Survivor Stories

Hugh Hoagland — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:54:14 +0000

Two men who survived arc flash blasts give their personal testimony.

Click here to read the article dated 3/20/12.

Electrical Explosion Causes Injuries at Golf Shop in CA

Hugh Hoagland — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:39:43 +0000

Several men working on an electrical panel at Roger Dunn Golf Shop in Santa Ana received minor burns to face and head when the panel exploded. Arc flash in a golf shop. Every electrician needs the basic skills and minimal protection which will prevent most burns from arc flash.

Click here to read the article dated 3/22/12.

Construction Employee Burned in Electrical Explosion in England

Hugh Hoagland — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:43:03 +0000

A construction company in England was fined when an employee was seriously injured while using a drill to beak-up concrete to erect a sign. The drill pierced a 415 volt underground cable, resulting in an electrical explosion and serious burns to the employee.

Click here to read the Solicitor’s article dated 3/30/12.

Jail Employee in TX Suffers Electrical Burns

Hugh Hoagland — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 03:36:16 +0000

A worker from Comal County Jail of New Braunfels, TX, apparently dropped a wrench on an electric bus bar, causing an electrical arc that shocked (?) and burned him.

Click here to read the article dated 3/28/12.

Arc Flash Burns Linesman

Hugh Hoagland — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:10:41 +0000

An employee of Wellington Electricity of Eastbourne was injured when coming in contact with a live cable at a a demolished soccer club changing room.

Click here to read the article dated 3/15/12.

Workman Nearly Killed in England Due to Electrical Explosion from Generator

Hugh Hoagland — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:11:22 +0000

No enforcement action will be forthcoming due to an electrical explosion from a generator that threw a workman to the ground, blinded him in one eye, and required a metal plate in his broken wrist.

Click here to follow this article from 1/31.

Don’t Pee on Electrical Equipment! Incident in Substation Results in Injuries and Power Outage in UK

Hugh Hoagland — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:36:37 +0000

In the US we frequently see a cartoon of a little boy urinating on something in the back window of a truck. Thought is might sound a bit strange. This kind of behavior can lead to death in a utility substation.

A metal thief was seriously injured during an electrical substation explosion. An accomplice indicated the man urinated against the transformer, setting off an explosion, which ignited drained transformer oil, setting himself ablaze. Power was also cut to 2000 nearby homes and businesses.

Click here to read more about this event in Leicester from 2/20/12.

An Arc Flash by Any Other Name… Switchboard “Blowback” Injury in NZ.

Hugh Hoagland — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:33:25 +0000

A disused sawmill in NZ was the site for injuries received during a switchboard “blowback”. Awareness of all employees is critical. Training to stand to the side of equipment (when possible), proper installation for safe operation and maintenance and remote operation when practical. Some level of arc flash training for operators, and some level of arc flash training for maintenance workers should be a priority for larger industrial installations, etc. Even managers should be aware of this hazard so they consider this in work assignments and training.

Click here to read the article from 2/20.