Accident Report Detail

Accident Summary Nr: 735035 - BURN - FAULT IN MOTOR CONTROL CENTER

Accident Summary Nr: 735035 -- Report ID: 0454510 -- Event Date: 06/24/1988
Inspection Nr	Date Opened	SIC	NAICS	Establishment Name
105456545	06/29/1988	3334	0	Alumax Of South Carolina

Abstract: TWO EMPLOYEES WERE ASSIGNED TO REMOVE A 480-VOLT SPARE SWITCHGEAR CABINET IN A MOTOR CONTROL CENTER. THE EMPLOYEES REMOVED THE FRONT COVER AND OPENED THE SWITCH ENCLOSURE DOOR. THEY VISUALLY VERIFIED THAT THERE WERE NO FUSES IN THE SWITCH, THAT THE SWITCH KNIFE BLOCKS WERE OPEN, AND THAT NO CONDUCTORS WERE CONNECTED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SWITCH. ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES OPENED THE LOCKED ACCESS DOOR TO THE LOAD SIDE OF THE SWITCH AND VISUALLY VERIFIED THAT NOTHING WAS CONNECTED TO THE LOAD SIDE. HOWEVER, NO ELECTRICAL TEST INSTRUMENTS WERE USED TO TEST FOR THE PRESENCE OF VOLTAGE WITHIN THE SWITCHGEAR ENCLOSURE. THE TWO EMPLOYEES TOOK SCREWDRIVERS (6 INCHES LONG WITH 0.25-INCH BLADES) TO REMOVE SCREWS IN THE BACK OF THE BOX. ONE OF THEM REMOVED THE TOP RIGHT SCREW, AND THE OTHER EMPLOYEE REMOVED THE BOTTOM LEFT SCREW. A FLASH OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF AN ELECTRIC ARC. THE EMPLOYEES RECEIVED BURNS ON THEIR HEADS, HANDS, AND ARMS. THEY WERE HOSPITALIZED FOR THEIR INJURIES.

Keywords: BURN, CLOTHING, ELECTRIC ARC, E GI IV, ELECTRICAL, ELECTRICIAN, ELECTRICAL WORK, LOCKOUT, ELECTRICAL FAULT, SWITCHGEAR

Employee Details
Employee #	Inspection Nr	Age	Sex	Degree of Injury	Nature of Injury	Occupation
1	105456545			Hospitalized injury	Electric Shock	Misc. electrical & electronic equipment repairers
2	105456545			Hospitalized injury	Electric Shock	Misc. electrical & electronic equipment repairers

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