Accident Report Detail
Accident Summary Nr: 138557.015 - Employee suffers burns from arc flash while drilling into bu
Inspection Nr | Date Opened | SIC | NAICS | Establishment Name |
---|---|---|---|---|
1517143.015 | 03/01/2021 | 333314 | Younger Mfg Co. |
Abstract: At 11:50 a.m. on March 1, 2021, Employee #1, an employee of Younger Mfg. Co., DBA Younger Optics, was working on a JLG scissor lift in the IOTP Department to install a differential air pressure switch on a metal beam near the ceiling. While drilling into the beam with a DeWalt cordless drill, an arc flash occurred because the beam was a bus bar carrying 420V 3-phase electricity. The arc flash ignited Employee #1's clothing and PPE. Employee #1 attempted to extinguish the fire by removing his clothing while on the lift. Coworkers tried to assist but were unable to use a fire extinguisher or lower the lift using external controls due to an activated emergency stop. Employee #1 ultimately lowered the lift and was assisted to the ground. He sustained second- and third-degree burns on 25% of his body and was hospitalized for 44 days at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. The incident caused a power outage across the facility and resulted in serious injuries due to contact with the bus bar and lack of effective safety measures.
Employee # | Inspection Nr | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1517143.015 | 58 | M | Hospitalized injury | Electrical and electronic technicians |