Inspection Detail

Inspection: 123901019 - Par Electrical Contractors

Inspection Information - Office: Santa Ana District Office

Investigation Summary

On March 29, 2006, Employee #1 and #2 were engaged in the removal of a deenergized 12,000-volt underground circuit. They had cut the set of deenergized cables in the manhole, which had four other sets of cables energized to 12,000-volt power source in the adjacent conduits. As they started to pull out the cables, Employee #1 was inside the manhole watching the retrieval of the deenergized cables from the duct, to make sure the rigging was properly completed. Employee #2 was outside looking into the manhole, and as Employee #1 was getting ready to come out of the manhole, an adjacent energized circuit faulted creating an electric arc flash. Employee #1 suffered second-degree burns to his left hand, third-degree burns to his right hand, as well as considerable damage to his lungs. Employee #2 suffered some flash burns to his face and inhaled some smoke. Both employees were transported to the burn unit of a medical center where they underwent treatment and were hospitalized.

Keywords: BURN, ELECTRIC ARC, SHOCK, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, HAND