Electrical and Arc Flash Safety » Underground Network Incidents

Electrocution of Electrician Today: Prevented by a Faceshield?

Hugh Hoagland — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:43:31 +0000

I’m a big faceshield proponent in arc flash. I have seen MANY faces saved by arc flash and many face burns which were needless. This is one of the first electrocutions I have seen that could have been entirely prevented by a faceshield.

The guy was struck in the forehead by a live wire and electrocuted. He was wearing protective gloves and sleeves but a faceshield could have prevented it. Wear it for the arc flash, wear it for electrocution but wear it!

Click here to read the news story from the Augusta Chronicle.

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Worker Hurt in “Manhole Explosion” Probable Arc Flash

Hugh Hoagland — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:16:01 +0000

Three primary causes for “manhole explosions” are

1. Ignition of combustible or flammable gases or dusts in the manhole

2. Arc Flash

3. A combination of the two.

By law, gases are monitored and these explosions are fairly rare. Arc flashes are more common when gases are being monitored.

Click here to read the report.

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PP&L Network worker burned in arc flash/transformer issue. Wrong PPE here would have been a fatality.

Hugh Hoagland — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:38:27 +0000

PP&L has been in arc rated clothing for years. They, like most electric utilities in the US have a strong arc flash program in place. In cotton clothing, this worker would likely have never lived. The right stuff makes a difference but doesn’t always full protect.

The NESC (National Electrical Safety Code) 2007 version requires utilities to do arc flash studies to calculate “reasonable” arc flash energies. Even when this is done the protection isn’t perfect BUT arc rated base wear will prevent MOST fatalities.

Click here to read the news article.

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PG&E Worker Electrocuted in Vault in Bay Area

Hugh Hoagland — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:13:56 +0000

These types of incidents are covered by CALOSHA and NESC. PG&E has a great safety and training program. The investigation will be swift.

Read the article in the SF Chronicle online.

Another article on same fatality.

Another article, same fatality.

Another article, same story.

CalOSHA Confirms PG&E Death.

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Probable Arc Flash Boston, MA NStar Workers. Two workers allegedly injured.

Hugh Hoagland — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:28:09 +0000

Click here to see the video news story.

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Probable arc flash incident ConEd in Brooklyn. Two reportedly injured

Hugh Hoagland — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:38:31 +0000

ConEd has an exceptional arc flash PPE program. Two injured. One critical according to one report but not critical according to a ConEd report. Most like a manhole arc flash. Standers-by might think the person in the hole was worse off than reality. Arc flashes have substantial smoke which looks like serious burns but often turns out NOT to be. The clothing they wear is an 88/12 Arc-Rated cotton/nylon blend which might look very charred yet allow no burn on the worker. ConEd also uses in some instances Arc Flash Protective Blankets compliant with ASTM F2676. They have done most of the research on how to use these blankets and the ASTM F2676 Testing is performed by ArcWear.com.

As a utility they fall under the NESC-2007 and OSHA 1910.269.

Hope these guys are OK.

Click here to read the Fox News Story.

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Amazing photo of electrical transformer blast in front of a Radio Shack. No injuries.

Hugh Hoagland — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:14:29 +0000

See the story in NY Mag

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Underground network arc flash in England, no injuries.

Hugh Hoagland — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:44:36 +0000

No maintenance going on here. Sounds like a cable failure.

See the story.

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Plumber causes large arc flash in Eaton Center. Every worker needs basic arc flash training.

Hugh Hoagland — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:16:37 +0000

The plumber’s snake was found in the 5kV transformer. No injuries. Basic arc flash training and electrical safety training should be required in all corporate training programs.

Click here to read the news article.

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Video of real arc flash in a manhole in NYC 1-25-10.

Hugh Hoagland — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:43:56 +0000

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 to see the video of the manhole explosion.

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