Electrical and Arc Flash Safety » Electric Utility Incidents

Construction Employee Electrocuted in NE

Hugh Hoagland — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:53:01 +0000

An employee of a contractor hired for a construction project was electrocuted while working on a utility pole in Dixon County Feed Yard in Allen, NE.

Click here to read the AP article dated 4/25/12.

Electric Cooperative Employee Injured in FL

Hugh Hoagland — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:57:08 +0000

An employee of Florida’s Suwanee Valley Electric Cooperative suffered electrical burns when coming into contact with energized equipment while changing a transformer.

Click here to read the article dated 4/18/12.

$50k Fine for Lack of Training in Australia

Hugh Hoagland — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:22:51 +0000

A sign installation employee in Preston, Victoria, was shocked and seriously burned when the metal rod he was taking off the top of a sign touched an overhead power line, sending 22,000v through his body. A Worksafe investigation found the company failed to ensure employees had sufficient training when working near powerlines at that particular site. The investigation also found the company could have installed “fixed tracking” at the site, which would have prevented the worker from being able to remove the metal rods over his shoulder, striking the power lines.

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

Maintenance Worker Electrocuted in Jakarta

Hugh Hoagland — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:42:02 +0000

An employee from the South Jakarta Sanitation Agency was electrocuted when he touched the railing of a pedestrian bridge. He had been taking a break from cleaning ditches and was lying on his back on the bridge; a frayed power cable from a nearby utilty pole adhered to the bridge, transmitting the current to the man’s hand when he touched the railing. Electrical systems built according to codes and properly maintained do not cause these types of incidents. There are many standards in IEC on proper power line design. In the US the proper standard is NESC. Maintenance is critical for public safety.

Click here to read the article dated 4/11/12.

Electric Shock during Utility Pole Installation in Ottawa

Hugh Hoagland — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:44:57 +0000

Three contract employees of Ottawa Hydo suffered electrical shock when the boom on a machine used to install utility poles came into contact with overhead lines. One man was seriously injured & required CPR, while the other two received electrical shock in attempting to rescue their co-worker.

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.

Subcontractor Electrocuted Pine Bluff Arsenal in AR

Hugh Hoagland — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:10:02 +0000

When preparing to remove a 20′ section of pipe supported by hanger straps at a Pine Bluff Arsenal construction project, a subcontractor was electrocuted when the pipe slipped and one end came in contact with an overhead power line.

Click here to read the article dated 3/14/12.

Man in Ireland Killed in Crane Accident

Hugh Hoagland — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:07:07 +0000

A man from Donegal, Ireland, was electrocuted when the crane he was driving came into contact with overhead power lines.

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

‘Phoenix Lights’ not UFO’s, but Electrical Explosion

Hugh Hoagland — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:05:45 +0000

An opened breaker on an electrical line in Phoenix was the cause of the bright explosion caught on a TV broadcast the evening of 3/8/12; no coincidence to the 15th anniversary of a famous UFO sighting in the City of Phoenix!

Click here to read the article and watch the video.

IA Man Electrocuted While Leaning Against Boom Truck

Hugh Hoagland — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:04:14 +0000

While leaning against a boom truck, a Sac City, IA, man was electrocuted when the arm of the 50′ boom contacted an overhead power line. His co-worker had been working in the bucket cutting tree branches.

Click here to read the article from 3/14/12.