Electrical and Arc Flash Safety » Arc Flash Incidents

Wisconsin Worker Dies in Electrical Accident – OSHA investigating

Hugh Hoagland — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:46:57 +0000

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

Two Men Injured in an Electrical Accident at Caterpillar Facility in Illinois

Hugh Hoagland — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 01:46:53 +0000

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 more about the Electrical Accident at Caterpillar

Good News Bad News Entergy Nuclear Plant Shut Down By Arc Flash

Hugh Hoagland — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:30:56 +0000

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 “nuclear plant” and “shut down” listed in the same story is to me a huge victory! No workers injured. Plant was shut down. Agreed, that’s not good. No one was hurt. I’m sure Entergy lost income. That’s bad but “no worker was injured”. Little celebration here! Following NFPA 70E in all nuclear plants in the US and Entergy was among the first to implement, has saved another life.

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/feature/x133070586/Report-Inadequate-safety-policies-led-to-nuclear-plant-incident

Arc Flash in Grocery Store in Old Lyme, CT December 08, 2011

Hugh Hoagland — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:23:29 +0000

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

Flash Fire at Polymer Plant: Combustible Dust or Arc Flash

Hugh Hoagland — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:18:00 +0000

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 usually protect from most of the body burns in these incidents.

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/dec/17/polymer-employee-dies-from-injuries-after/

Caterpillar Contractor Suffers Arc Flash Burns Peoria, IL Dec. 19, 2011

Hugh Hoagland — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:11:01 +0000

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

Arc Flash, Naples, FL Hotel Smart Meter Blast Possible 3rd Degree Burns with PPE, Dec. 15, 2011

Hugh Hoagland — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:26:43 +0000

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 chief interviewed KNEW about arc flash! It is getting out there! 17 years ago NESC, NFPA 70E and OSHA said NOTHING about arc flash now it is all the rage. Great increase in the understanding and protection. This company met the current OSHA 1910.269 standard by providing clothing that did not increase the extent of the injury (as long as his t-shirt didn’t ignite.

Click here to read the story of the Naples, FL Arc Flash Incident

Arc Flash at Boeing Plant? Electrical Worker Hurt

Hugh Hoagland — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:25:50 +0000

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 read the short article about the electrical contractor burned in a possible arc flash working on a Boeing site.

Andover, Mass. Workers Injured by Electrical Explosion

Hugh Hoagland — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:32:34 +0000

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