Inspection Detail

Inspection: 110338506 - Central Louisiana Electric Co., Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Baton Rouge Area Office

Investigation Summary

A POWER LINE WORKER (LEAD SERVICE MECHANIC) FOR AN ELECTRIC UTILITY WAS ON CALL ON A SUNDAY TO HANDLE EMERGENCY REPAIRS. HE GOT A CALL AT ABOUT 2:30 PM TO INVESTIGATE A SERVICE OUTAGE. HE TOOK ALONG A HELPER WHOM HE WAS TRAINING. WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE JOBSITE, HE OPENED THE CUTOUTS ON A POLE, BUT DID NOT REMOVE THE JUMPERS. HE TOOK THE SEVERED CONDUCTOR TO THE POLE WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING THE LINE TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS DEENERGIZED AND WITHOUT GROUNDING IT. THE POWER LINE WORKER WAS ELECTROCUTED WHEN HE GRASPED BOTH ENDS OF THE SEVERED CONDUCTOR. THE EMPLOYEE HAD WORKED WITH THE COMPANY FOR 33 YEARS AND HAD BEEN A LEAD SERVICE MECHANIC FOR 9 YEARS.

Keywords: OVERHEAD POWER LINE, PROTECTIVE GROUNDING, ELECTRICAL, POWER LINE WORKER, ELECTROCUTED, LOCKOUT, E PTD, ELEC UTILITY WORK