Note: This is my opinion with ONLY the news article information.
Looks like something I had thought COULD happen has happened. Arc flash in manhole, blows off cover and hits someone.
Prevention of arc flash can help save public too.
Click here to read the news article.

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Another arc flash in a network system. Hawaiian Electric has two workers injured. Most likely they were in arc rated clothing since “one of the men was initially deemed to be in critical condition but was upgraded to serious condition shortly after his arrival at the hospital.”
Following the requirements of the NESC and [...]

Here is what methane buildup in manholes can do. Arc flash is about the same but more power from a burn perspective on those in the hole from arc plasma in some cases.
Click here to see the video. It is one of my YouTube Favorites.

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BC Hydro was an early adopter of arc rated clothing for all arc flash exposed utility workers. This network system arc flash blew off a manhole cover (~90lbs/40kg).
Moving to flame resistant clothing stops clothing ignitons and dramatically reduces injuries. The second report says there are second and third degree burns and all workers [...]

This arc flash/blast was caught on video in London England. No one hurt but the blast is fairly significant. No worker’s present. Interesting the advertisement before the blast video story is for cotton. Not my choice for working in a manhole.
Click here to see the arc flash video.

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My bet from reading this is that they had an arc flash. They were probably wearing arc flash clothing (ConEd has rules on this) because the burns for ignited clothing are usually critical not just serious. NESC requires using protective clothing in these situations. These injuries can sometimes be prevented with arc [...]

Underground networks in our larger cities have the most fault current of all the electrical systems other than possibly a smelter. These networks must be worked on and in by highly qualified persons but there are coming new devices such as arc flash protective blankets which are tested to meet ASTM F2676 that can [...]

O’Connell Electric Co. Inc. could face as much as $88,200 in fines if found guilty of the allegations prompted by a company employee being burned May 18 from an electrical arc flash on the North Campus of the State University of New York at Buffalo.

O’Connell Electric’s chief executive officer, Victor E. Salerno, said today the company is challenging the allegations. “The good news is the employee is back to work,” said Salerno of the employee from the Rochester area who was burned in the incident.
“We believe we followed all the proper procedures to protect our employees,” added Salerno. The company has done its own investigation of the incident and related activity, he said, and is confident it will prevail against the allegations by OSHA.

Here is another one. Fortunately when these happen most often, no one is present.
DTE Energy is developing strategies to determine when they are probable from a electrical worker perspective. DTE is using infra-red detection, Arc Flash Blankets tested with ASTM F2676 and arc flash clothing tested to meet ASTM F1506 to help protect [...]

Here is about the only written guidance we at ArcWear.com have found. This comes from ConEd Testing, DTE testing, Progress Energy’s Testing.
Read the page in Estex’s brochure describing the methods…

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