Accident: 120138466 - Electric Shock - Direct Contact With Energized Parts

Two power line workers were working in a substation, troubleshooting a capacitor bank that was not responding to switching signals. The employees found the problem and fixed it. While they were on the site, they noticed other damage to the outside of capacitor bank, so they decided to investigate further without receiving specific authorization. One of the employees, who was not using electrical protective equipment, opened several of the capacitors' cover plates. When he opened the compartment for the upper 12-kilovolt vacuum circuit breaker, his hand apparently contacted the energized bus. He received an electric shock and sustained third-degree burns on his hands and abdomen. The injured employee was transported to a burn center, where he was hospitalized for his injuries.

electrical, electric shock, burn, elec utility work, power line worker, capacitor, circuit breaker, elec protect equip, e ptd

Accident: 948927 - Burn - Electrical Fault In Circuit Breaker

Four electricians working in a substation had just finished moving some 480-volt circuit breakers from standby cubicles back to the normal position. Two of the employees had gone outside to cool off, and the other two started replacing covers on the unused openings in the standby cubicle doors. The two employees who had gone outside returned to help. As employee #3 walked by one of the doors, he pushed it shut with his foot. The cover plate, which had just been placed on the threaded studs without being secured, fell into the lower energized stabs and caused an electrical fault. The ensuing electric arc burned three of the four employees. They were hospitalized with first-, second-, and third-degree burns.

electrical, burn, electrician, electrical work, electric arc, electrical fault, clothing, unstable position, circuit breaker, e gi ii

Accident: 200962322 - Burn - Electrical Fault In Circuit Breaker

A fuel and ash technician was in a coal yard breaker house working on an ITE K600 480-volt, 300-ampere circuit breaker. As the employee was racking the circuit breaker back in, an electrical fault occurred. He sustained second- and third-degree burns to his right arm, shoulders, back, neck, and face. He was hospitalized for his injuries. His employer required a switching jacket, ultra-violet-rated face shield, gloves with leather protectors, and rubber insulating sleeves. However, the employee was not wearing the proper personal protective equipment.

electrical, burn, electric arc, electrical fault, elec utility work, circuit breaker, ppe, clothing, e ptd

Accident: 201081288 - Burn - Electrical Fault In Circuit Breaker

An employee was replacing a switching device on a 480-volt Siemens JXD 63L400 circuit breaker. He had not deenergized the supply conductors for the circuit breaker as recommended by the manufacturer. He removed two bolts that were holding the switching device in place. The bolts were also holding up a guard that protects against contact with energized parts when the cabinet is open. The guard fell across the three phase contacts, causing an electrical fault. The ensuing electric arc burned the employee, and he sustained second-degree burns to both hands and both forearms. He was hospitalized for his injuries.

burn, electrical, guard, electrical fault, electric arc, electrician, circuit breaker, elec circ part--misc, lockout, e ptd