Two construction workers were injured at an East Texas Power Plant in Nacogdoches on 1/31 when 440 volts arced, causing an explosion.  They had severe electrical burns and were listed in critical condition.  OSHA 1910.269 and 1926 along with NESC cover this type of work in a utility setting. Click here to read more about this electrical [...]

An explosion in the 161 kV switchyard of the Sequoyah Nucleaer Facility in eastern TN resulted in being classed as an Emergency “Unusual Event”.    No injuries were reported due to the fault and resulting explosion. Click here to read the Notification of Unusual Event from 2/12/12.

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 [...]

Two electrical incidents in different areas of Alberta resulted in the deaths of two electrical workers. One was killed while installing cables near Ft. McMurray.  The second occurred in Southwest Alberta while working on a power transmission project. Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety department says a 34-year-old electrical foreman died yesterday morning while installing cables [...]

Kleen Energy explosion included “Citations …for failing to install & use electrical equipment in accordance with its listing and labeling.”  OSHA and the NEC (NFPA 70) which is law in most states require electrical equipment be used in accordance with its listing and labeling.  It is all to common to find citations on this even in new [...]

“Kyushu Electric Power Co. said three workers were hospitalized with minor burns and four others were also hurt after sparks flew from electric devices while a regular inspection was being carried out on the No. 1 reactor of the Sendai nuclear plant in southern Japan.”

These firefighters had a real challenge putting out a fire in a 4160V switchgear at the TVA plant last week. Interesting comment on how they put the fire, caused by an arc flash, out. Click here to read the news story. Al Havens at e-Hazard.com teaches classes on electrical safety for first responders.

TVA has an excellent arc flash PPE program. The Fox News story doesn’t say if they were working on the breaker or if it just failed. Arc Flash Training and the right PPE make huge differences in arc events. Click here to read the Fox News Story. Click here to read a little more detailed [...]