Abstract: An electric utility employee was using a paintbrush to dust a motor control center. The 50-millimeter-wide paintbrush had a metal band binding the bristles to its handle. To perform this job, the employee had opened the circuit breaker to the motor; however, the line side of the breaker was still energized. The opening between the line side of the circuit breaker and the grounded frame was about 38 millimeters wide. When the employee put the brush into this opening to dust inside, an electrical fault occurred. The ensuing electric arc and fire burned the employee's right hand, arm, and shoulder, and his face, back, and head. The burns ranged from first degree to third degree. The employee was hospitalized for his injuries.